Guest host Mara S. Campo, Anchor and Managing Editor at Revolt Black News, looks at the ongoing national mental health crisis and talks to people who are working outside the box to make a difference.

On this episode of Our Body Politic, Farai Chideya looks back at our conversations around Black Maternal health. First, she speaks with Aftershock co-director Tonya Lewis Lee and film subject Shawnee Benton-Gibson. Then, we hear from Dr. Rachel Hardeman about racism as one of the root causes of health disparities in the U.S. After, author Anna Malaika Tubbs talks about her book The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation. We round out the show with Tressie McMillan Cottom who speaks about her horrific labor and delivery experience.

On this episode of Our Body Politic, guest host Mara S. Campo looks at the idea of the “soft life” as a form of self care for Black women. Mara speaks with Dr. Judith Joseph, a board certified psychiatrist, and Chair of Women in Medicine Collaborative at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons about the concept. Mara also talks with the founder of Saddie Baddies, Priscilla O. Agyeman about using her skills to teach women how they can embrace a soft life. We round out the show with Zee Clarke, author of Black People Breathe who offers practical methods to embrace rest.

On this episode of Our Body Politic, guest host Mara S. Campo looks at the foundational role of Black Americans in country music, and the barriers to entry that still exist. First we hear Mara’s conversation with professor Francesca Royster, author of “Black Country Music: Listening for Revolutions.” Then Mara talks with country music singer Brittney Spencer who was one of Rolling Stone’s 25 artists to watch in 2023. We round out the show hearing grammy-nominated Mickey Guyton speak with Mara about paving the way for other Black women in country music.

By now, the story of what happened on January 6 2021 is seared into the public psyche. But there is still an untold story.Many of the investigators and team leads on the January 6th Committee were people of color. In this podcast, we bring you the story of their leadership, and why their mix of lived experience as descendents of enslaved people; children of immigrants; or immigrants themselves deeply shaped the committee’s quest to protect and uphold a multiracial pluralistic democracy. The story they tell about the inner workings of the committee also reveal deep rifts over the role of race and Christian Nationalism in the insurrection, and how much of that inquiry should be told while proving former President Trump’s role in the insurrection. As America winds up with endless court cases over the former President and his alleged co-conspirators, it is also, arguably winding up for an increase in domestic violent extremism. In “January 6th: An American Story,” we show – through the investigators of color and lawmakers helping lead the committee – that January 6th is not over, and the ways we continue to make sense of its reverberations could save – or imperil – us all. The story of January 6 is an American Story. It just might be different from the one you thought you knew.

By now, the story of what happened on January 6 2021 is seared into the public psyche. But there is still an untold story.Many of the investigators and team leads on the January 6th Committee were people of color. In this podcast, we bring you the story of their leadership, and why their mix of lived experience as descendents of enslaved people; children of immigrants; or immigrants themselves deeply shaped the committee’s quest to protect and uphold a multiracial pluralistic democracy. The story they tell about the inner workings of the committee also reveal deep rifts over the role of race and Christian Nationalism in the insurrection, and how much of that inquiry should be told while proving former President Trump’s role in the insurrection. As America winds up with endless court cases over the former President and his alleged co-conspirators, it is also, arguably winding up for an increase in domestic violent extremism. In “January 6th: An American Story,” we show – through the investigators of color and lawmakers helping lead the committee – that January 6th is not over, and the ways we continue to make sense of its reverberations could save – or imperil – us all. The story of January 6 is an American Story. It just might be different from the one you thought you knew.

By now, the story of what happened on January 6 2021 is seared into the public psyche. But there is still an untold story.Many of the investigators and team leads on the January 6th Committee were people of color. In this podcast, we bring you the story of their leadership, and why their mix of lived experience as descendents of enslaved people; children of immigrants; or immigrants themselves deeply shaped the committee’s quest to protect and uphold a multiracial pluralistic democracy. The story they tell about the inner workings of the committee also reveal deep rifts over the role of race and Christian Nationalism in the insurrection, and how much of that inquiry should be told while proving former President Trump’s role in the insurrection. As America winds up with endless court cases over the former President and his alleged co-conspirators, it is also, arguably winding up for an increase in domestic violent extremism. In “January 6th: An American Story,” we show – through the investigators of color and lawmakers helping lead the committee – that January 6th is not over, and the ways we continue to make sense of its reverberations could save – or imperil – us all. The story of January 6 is an American Story. It just might be different from the one you thought you knew.

By now, the story of what happened on January 6 2021 is seared into the public psyche. But there is still an untold story.Many of the investigators and team leads on the January 6th Committee were people of color. In this podcast, we bring you the story of their leadership, and why their mix of lived experience as descendents of enslaved people; children of immigrants; or immigrants themselves deeply shaped the committee’s quest to protect and uphold a multiracial pluralistic democracy. The story they tell about the inner workings of the committee also reveal deep rifts over the role of race and Christian Nationalism in the insurrection, and how much of that inquiry should be told while proving former President Trump’s role in the insurrection. As America winds up with endless court cases over the former President and his alleged co-conspirators, it is also, arguably winding up for an increase in domestic violent extremism. In “January 6th: An American Story,” we show – through the investigators of color and lawmakers helping lead the committee – that January 6th is not over, and the ways we continue to make sense of its reverberations could save – or imperil – us all. The story of January 6 is an American Story. It just might be different from the one you thought you knew.

By now, the story of what happened on January 6 2021 is seared into the public psyche. But there is still an untold story.Many of the investigators and team leads on the January 6th Committee were people of color. In this podcast, we bring you the story of their leadership, and why their mix of lived experience as descendents of enslaved people; children of immigrants; or immigrants themselves deeply shaped the committee’s quest to protect and uphold a multiracial pluralistic democracy. The story they tell about the inner workings of the committee also reveal deep rifts over the role of race and Christian Nationalism in the insurrection, and how much of that inquiry should be told while proving former President Trump’s role in the insurrection. As America winds up with endless court cases over the former President and his alleged co-conspirators, it is also, arguably winding up for an increase in domestic violent extremism. In “January 6th: An American Story,” we show -- through the investigators of color and lawmakers helping lead the committee -- that January 6th is not over, and the ways we continue to make sense of its reverberations could save -- or imperil -- us all. The story of January 6 is an American Story. It just might be different from the one you thought you knew.

On this episode of Our Body Politic, host Farai Chideya looks back on some of our favorite conversations with authors this past year. First we hear Farai’s conversation with author Linda Villarosa about her latest book “Under the Skin” and the dangers of medical racism. Then guest host Karen Grigsby Bates speaks with Baynard Woods, about his book “Inheritance: An Autobiography of Whiteness.” We round out the show hearing Farai’s conversation with award-winning author Tananarive Due about her latest spooky book, “The Reformatory” and the true family story that inspired it.

On this episode of Our Body Politic, host Farai Chideya looks back on our best advice from guests about how to take care of our relationships, communities, and ourselves. First we hear Farai’s conversation with authors Susan McCarthy and Marjorie Ingall about what it means to give and receive an apology. Then Farai talks with professor Andrea Roberts about celebrating Black Memory and Freedom on Juneteenth. We round out the show by listening back to Farai’s conversation with Jasmine Lamb, founder of Whut We Share and singer Geminelle about making music for mindfulness.

On this episode of Our Body Politic, guest host Callie Crossley, who is a host and commentator for GBH Boston, looks back at the first 50 years of women in Hip-Hop with educator and MC Queen D and author and cultural critic Aisha Durham. Then Callie talks with journalist Brooklyn White about the iconic Missy Elliot, the first woman Hip-Hop artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We round out the show by hearing from our viewers about what Hip-Hop means to them and the impact it’s made on their lives.

On this episode of Our Body Politic, Sayu Bhojwani, guest host and founder of Women’s Democracy Lab, speaks with Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, Executive Director at The Ballot Initiative Strategy Center about the power of ballot initiatives. Then Sayu talks with Grace Choi, CEO & Founder of Karis Consulting Group and LaTosha Brown, Co-founder of Black Voters Matter Fund about mobilizing diverse voters. We round out the show with host Farai Chideya’s conversation with Tiffany Hammond, author of “A Day with No Words” about creating community while raising two sons with autism.

On this episode of Our Body Politic, Karen Attiah, guest host and Columnist for the Washington Post, speaks with labor journalist Kim Kelly about the past year in labor movements in the U.S. Then Karen talks with journalist, activist and documentarian Rokhaya Diallo about the anti-racist protests in France. We round out the show with part 2 of Farai Chideya’s conversation with Former U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant, Aquilino Gonell about his new book, “American Shield: The Immigrant Sergeant Who Defended Democracy.

On this episode of Our Body Politic, host Farai Chideya listens back to some of the conversations she is thankful for this year. First, is Farai’s most recent interview with Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland. Then Farai speaks with Renata Joy, founder of Pure Joy Wellness and Dionne C. Monsanto, Founder of Joyous Ocean about gratitude for good health. We round out the show with guest host Imara Jones and her interview with Oklahoma State Representative Mauree Turner, and then hear The Grio’s Natasha Alford in conversation with Jemele Hill about the gift of allyship in women’s sports.

On this episode of Our Body Politic, host Farai Chideya talks with Shannon-Janean Currie, vice president at Benenson Strategy Group, which conducted our inaugural survey for our Living Data series. Farai then speaks with Cathy Cohen, the founder and director of GenForward Survey about the importance of polling. Then, Farai, Cathy Cohen and Shannon-Janean Currie, discuss the main GenZ survey takeaways. We round out the show with Farai in conversation with Former U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant, Aquilino Gonell about his new book, “American Shield: The Immigrant Sergeant Who Defended Democracy.”

On this episode of Our Body Politic, guest host Sayu Bhojwani talks with Adriane Lentz-Smith, associate professor of history at Duke University about polarization, division and the politics of rage. Sayu then speaks with Christina Greer, Moynihan Public Scholars Fellow about what’s behind the low approval numbers for Vice President Kamala Harris. We round out the show with Sayu in discussion with Andrea Mercado, Executive Director, Florida Rising and Fernand Amandi, Pollster, strategist, MSNBC analyst about takeaways from the 2023 election.

On this episode of Our Body Politic, guest host Karen Grigsby Bates talks with Virginia Kase Solomón, CEO of the League of Women Voters, about the threats and issues poll workers face protecting democracy. Karen then speaks with Melissa Murray, NYU law professor and host of the podcast Strict Scrutiny about some of the cases SCOTUS will hear this term. We round out the show with Karen discussing how to navigate medical bias with artist, author and doctor, Shirlene Obuobi.

On this episode of Our Body Politic, host Farai Chideya is celebrating the spooky season with Black women creators of horror. First we hear her conversation with Louisiana-based writer and director Zandashé Brown on expanding the canon of Black Southern gothic horror. Then Farai speaks with Tonia Ransom, author and creator of the award-winning horror fiction podcast Nightlight. We round out the show with award-winning author Tananarive Due talking about her newest book, ‘The Reformatory.’

On this episode of Our Body Politic, guest host Hagar Chemali, Creator and Host of Oh My World! talks with SiriusXM Host and MSNBC columnist Nayyera Haq and Global Opinions Editor for The Washington Post, Karen Attiah, about the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. We round out the show with a conversation between host Farai Chideya and author Roxane Gay about her new collection of essays, Opinions: A Decade of Arguments, Criticism, and Minding Other People’s Business.”

On this episode of Our Body Politic, guest host Karen Grigsby Bates talks about redistricting and newly redrawn maps in Alabama with Marina Jenkins, executive director of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. Then Karen looks at redistricting on the city level with Los Angeles City Council Member Nithya Raman who represents the 4th district. We round out the show with Karen speaking with Jenisha Watts, senior editor at The Atlantic about her October cover story which details her upbringing in a crack house in Lexington, Kentucky.

On this special episode of Our Body Politic, we highlight the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women’s (MMIW) crisis. Guest-host Andrea Ambam, speaks with Lorna Cuny, Co-Founder of the Medicine Wheel Ride and Darlene Gomez, who is General Counsel for Medicine Wheel Ride, about The Medicine Wheel Riders, a national group raising awareness about the MMIW crisis. Then Andrea speaks with Alecia Onzahwah, about her efforts to arm Indigenous women with tools to defend themselves. We round out the show with Andrea speaking with Prairie Rose Seminole, co-director of the documentary We Ride for Her.

We’re celebrating our third year anniversary at Our Body Politic! We started this journey covering the 2020 election, so let’s continue on that path by covering one of the states that will be key in the next election - Georgia. On this episode of Our Body Politic, host Farai Chideya, speaks with Kendra Davenport Cotton, CEO of the New Georgia Project about mobilizing voters in the peach state. Then Farai speaks with Georgia State Representative Mesha Mainor about her decision to switch parties and become the first Black Republican woman serving in the Georgia Assembly. We round out the show with a report by host Farai Chideya about the efforts by the Burning Man festival to diversify, straight from Burners of color.

From redistricting to Governors acting against the will of the people, we explore, whose vote counts? On this episode of Our Body Politic, host Farai Chideya, speaks with Elected Florida State Attorney Monique Worrell about being suspended by Governor Ron Desantis, and running for office again. Then Karen Grigsby Bates, founding member of NPR’s Code Switch Team AND Our Body Politic co-host, speaks with Michigan State Representative Donavan McKinney about suing over new state legislative maps. We round out the show with Farai speaking with fashion icon Bethann Hardison about her legendary career and her work to diversify the fashion industry.

One of the biggest threats facing Americans today…is extremism. What can be done to combat the rising danger of extremist events in the United States? On this episode of Our Body Politic, host Farai Chideya, speaks with Kristofer Goldsmith, founder and CEO of Taskforce Butler, about engaging veterans in the fight against extremism. Then Farai gets a debrief from journalist and Our Body Politic team member Joanne Levine, who attended the Mom’s For Liberty Annual Summit. They’re an organization that has been designated to have “racist” and “extremist ties. We round the show out with our Sippin’ the Political Tea roundtable that includes Robert P. Jones, the president and founder of the Public Religion Research Institute and Anthea Butler, the Geraldine R. Segal Professor in American Social Thought and chair of the department of Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, about the connections between religion, race, politics and violence.

Can the world of classical music become more inclusive given its history? On this episode of Our Body Politic, guest host Celeste Headlee, a journalist and best-selling author, speaks with Professor Philip Ewell, professor of music theory at Hunter College about the history of classical music and Blackness. Then Celeste speaks with professor and Harpist Ashley Jackson about the significance of performing the works of Black female composers. Celeste is also joined by 8-time Grammy-winning musician Christian McBride on the links between jazz and classical music. We round out the show with Lara Downes, concert pianist, musical creator and host of the NPR video series Amplify, about performing for others and her hope for making an impact on the next generation.

Fall is on the way, and school is back in session. And THIS year, the summer heat and student loans are making big headlines. On this episode of Our Body Politic, host and creator Farai Chideya speaks with Neel Dhanesha from Heatmap who discusses the underestimated yet deadliest weather crisis - HEAT. We’re also joined by climate activist Dany Sigwalt on how to build a climate movement that includes BIPOC voices. Then co-host Karen Grigsby Bates, who is a founding member of NPR’s Code Switch team speaks with Persis Yu, the deputy executive director and managing counsel at the Student Borrower Protection Center, about how the most vulnerable borrowers still recovering from the effects of a pandemic will be able to meet the demands of loan repayments.

Tonya Mosley never expected to become a darling of public radio and podcasting; in fact, she had her heart set on becoming a print reporter. Now she’s the host of her own podcast, “Truth Be Told,” and the newest co-host of the iconic NPR interview show, “Fresh Air.” On this episode of Our Body Politic, host and creator Farai Chideya speaks with Tonya about her life growing up in Detroit, how she developed an interest in the news, and how her career unfolded on multiple media. Plus, we hear some clips from the latest season of “Truth Be Told,” which is centered on psychedelics and the Black community.

This week, Our Body Politic host and creator Farai Chideya unpacks the latest indictment against former President Trump, with former Senior Investigative Counsel for the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, Soumya Dayananda. Then, she digs into why political rumors thrive and how to challenge them with MIT Professor Adam Berinsky, author of the new book Political Rumors: Why We Accept Misinformation and How to Fight It. Plus, Farai talks with Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist Julia Angwin about how technology is changing our everyday lives through surveillance and fear speech.

Hollywood is on strike. How will this historic double strike affect the already dwindling numbers of writers of color in television and feature-film writers rooms? And what is the path forward as actors and writers face the challenges of streaming services, mini-rooms and artificial intelligence? First, Our Body Politic guest host Callie Crossley speaks with award-winning television writer Erika Green Swafford about her career, what it’s like to be the only Black woman in a writer’s room and the need for creating spaces for writers of color in TV. Then, TV and feature-film writers Jeane Phan Wong and Sylvia Franklin join Callie for a roundtable breaking down what the strikes are all about, including the day-to-day of being on the picket line.

This week on Our Body Politic, Farai Chideya revisits some of her favorite conversations with three authors. She starts with award-winning journalist, producer and author Danyel Smith, whose book Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop offers insight into Danyel’s career in music journalism and highlights Black women’s seismic - and sometimes underrated - influence on the world of pop music and business. Farai also talks with MacArthur Grant Award winner, Harvard professor and author Tiya Miles about one family heirloom from the enslavement period that remarkably stood the test of time. Then, Farai interviews Carmen Rita Wong, writer, journalist, finance expert and author of Why Didn’t You Tell Me? A Memoir. Wong candidly shares how discovering a series of family secrets surrounding her heritage led her to re-examine her race and culture and forge a new path for authentic self-discovery.

America is in a time of unprecedented mental health challenges. Many different cultures developed mindfulness techniques over millennia, and now, more people are embracing them for physical and mental health. On this episode of “Our Body Politic,” host and creator Farai Chideya digs into the what and how of mindfulness, how Black women and women of color are centering themselves, and the creative inner workings of artists creating music-rich meditations for mindfulness.

On June 29, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled against a long-standing college admissions practice: affirmative action. For many, the conservative court's decision wasn't a surprise. But the fallout from the ruling will be felt for years to come. On this episode of “Our Body Politic,” guest host Karen Grigsby Bates, founding member of NPR’s “Code Switch” team, is joined by experts and advocates to break down the history of affirmative action, what the recent decision means and who it’s impacting. Plus we hear the voices and stories of those most affected by the ruling: students.

This episode of Our Body Politic is a special on caregiving. We start the show with the voices of caregivers, lawmakers and advocates. Then, OBP creator and host Farai Chideya speaks with Sade Dozan, Chief of Development and Operations at Caring Across Generations, a movement with the goal of creating “a world where everyone can age with dignity, and caregivers are respected and supported,” about her caregiving journey. Farai also speaks with nationally recognized author Ai-jen Poo, the co-founder and Executive Director of Caring Across Generations, about taking care of our elders, our children and ourselves. Finally, on our weekly roundtable, Farai, attorney and trusts, estates and family law expert Lisa Brown and Washington Post columnist Michelle Singletary discuss what to plan for – legally and financially – when it comes to elder care.

On this episode of Our Body Politic, we focus on two hot topics in the news: the wave of white supremacist sentiments that has taken hold inside and outside of government, and the state of voting rights in America. First, Our Body Politic host and creator Farai Chideya speaks with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Wesley Lowery about his latest book,“American Whitelash: A Changing Nation and the Cost of Progress,” examining the “whitelash” to the notion of a “post-racial America” after the election of President Barack Obama. Then, Farai is joined by Tiffany Jeffers, associate professor of law at Georgetown Law and Our Body Politic contributor And Kimberly Atkins Stohr, senior opinion writer and columnist for Boston Globe Opinion, to discuss the latest Supreme Court ruling on voting rights, the legitimacy of SCOTUS, and President Donald Trump’s indictments, and how all of these factors may play a role in the 2024 presidential election.

Transgender rights are increasingly under attack in the United States, despite studies showing that the majority of Americans don’t want laws limiting transgender rights. But politicians on the right, who have long used gender and family issues to appeal to conservative voters, are now trying to reach broader audiences with anti-trans rhetoric. In this episode of “Our Body Politic,” guest host Imara Jones, founder and CEO of TransLash Media and host of the investigative series podcast, the Anti-Trans Hate Machine, gives listeners a thoughtful overview of what’s going on right now in the world of transpolitics – the politics impacting trans people and our communities. She also speaks with the trailblazing non-binary politician Mauree Turner about anti-trans issues and policies. And on our weekly roundtable, “Sippin’ The Political Tea,” Imara and journalists Orion Rummler and Samantha Reidel dig into how the media talks about trans people and legislation, and how two pivotal works have guided the cultural and political conversation.

On June 19, 1865, enslaved people were finally freed in Texas – a day of joy that would become known and celebrated in Black communities as Juneteenth. While the day became a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth's expansion is one indication of the ways Black memory and the commemoration of Black freedom is championed. In this special presentation, we look at the roots of the holiday, what has endured – and changed – and some of the ways Juneteenth is exploited. We also hear from you, our listeners, about your stories of celebration, liberation and community.

An elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. A grocery store in East Buffalo, New York. A mall in Allen, Texas. The list of locations where mass shootings have taken place in the United States continues to grow, with gun violence touching every aspect of American life. Even people who have not been directly affected by gun violence still feel trapped by the crisis our nation is enduring and feeling a loss of public safety. On this week’s episode of Our Body Politic, creator and host Farai Chideya focuses on the impact and intersections of gun violence. Plus, a special panel on gun violence and reproductive justice recorded live at the Center for the Study of Guns and Society at Wesleyan University and moderated by OBP guest host, Karen Attiah.

Between layoffs, show cancellations, downsizing and network shut-downs, some are calling the recent news about the news an all out “media massacre.” Will this disintegration of outlets cause increased polarization? The people who get the platform to tell the news – and how they tell it – will matter more than ever before.

In today’s image-obsessed world, the pressure from celebrities, beauty brands and pop culture toward changing and manipulating one’s body can be overwhelming. How can we cultivate joy and wellness within ourselves and the world of fitness and movement? In this week’s episode, Farai Chideya speaks with two guests who are helping their clients connect the dots between physical health and mental health; who are building their communities and businesses; and who are aging not with grace but with vigor. Plus, we answer questions from you, our listeners!

Our Body Politic was founded on a mission to give a platform to and uplift the voices of Black women and women of color. This week, we hand the mic over to three of our guest hosts to showcase the amazing interviews they’ve done. First, Natasha Alford speaks with Alisha Fernandez Miranda on embracing new paths in Alisha’s memoir, “My What If Year.” Then, Karen Attiah talks business and Black hair with Janell Stephens, the CEO and founder of Camille Rose Naturals. Finally, Emmy-nominated producer Tanya Selvaratnam leads our Sippin' the Political Tea roundtable on South Asian creators and filmmaking with Academy Award winning producer and director Joseph Patel; and founder of Anthem of Us, Anurima Bhargava.

Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group in the United States. And people of Indian descent make up the largest part of America's South Asian diaspora, which includes Bangladeshi, Nepalis, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans as well as people from Bhutan and the Maldives. With such a diverse community, defining what it means to be a South Asian American can be complex. This week, we dive into that complexity, exploring identity, history, political representation and a pressing issue for the South Asian diaspora: caste discrimination.

This week, an Our Body Politic encore: Farai interviews Steven Thrasher, LGBTQ scholar, journalist and author of “The Viral Underclass: The Human Toll When Inequality and Diseases Collide.” Thrasher offers insights from his new book on how systematic marginalization determines who is most affected by public health crises like HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and mpox. Then, Farai speaks to Howard Polskin, president and founder of “TheRighting,” a newsletter, site and social media feed that compiles and disseminates far-right political commentary to cross-pollinate the divided media audiences in the U.S. and combat disinformation in the news.

Guest host Mara S. Campo, Anchor and Managing Editor at Revolt Black News, looks at the ongoing national mental health crisis and talks to people who are working outside the box to make a difference.

More than fifty years after Title IX, we take a wider look at the treatment and coverage of female and transgender athletes. At the close of a dramatic NCAA women’s championship, Natasha Alford, Senior Correspondent at The Grio, sits in for Farai Chideya to talk about Black women athletes, college sports, and sports journalism.

Guest host Natasha Alford, in for Farai Chideya, explores political coalition building through three lenses. From the national stage - to hotly contested state races - to local politics - elected officials owe a duty of care to the constituents they serve. But how do politicians at all levels of government communicate with marginalized communities and how do those communities get their voices heard?

Guest host and Washington Post Columnist Karen Attiah sits down with writer, historian, and scholar Jelani Cobb at the 2023 Just Economy Conference to discuss the challenges facing journalists of color in today’s media landscape.

Guest host Hagar Chemali, foreign policy expert and Creator and Host of the YouTube show "Oh My World!" looks closely at the latest in international policy, from the conflict in Ukraine to US and China Relations, and finally, the recent election in Africa’s largest democracy, Nigeria.

Another OBP Extended Edition! Guest host Natasha Alford speaks with former Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes on the hotly contested election for State Supreme Court in Wisconsin.

This week, we share a panel from the 92nd Street Y’s State of America Summit. Host Farai Chideya asks: who defines America’s Values? We discuss the power of storytelling and civil society with Bird Runningwater, CEO of Cloud Women Media, award-winning author and Harvard Professor Suketu Mehta, author Anna Malaika Tubbs, and Washington Post Contributing Columnist Danielle Allen.

Guest host and ESPN executive Marsha Cooke continues a conversation about black women in the media. Panelists share how they focus on building inclusive content for Black audiences including expanding coverage to undercovered topics and communities. The guests are Mary Annaïse Heglar, Co-creator and Co-host of the Hot Take podcast Lauren Williams, Co-Founder and CEO of Capital B.

Three years after the first lockdowns in the US, we look at how public health has changed and how we have changed with it. Plus a new book, “Black Women Will Save the World: An Anthem,” explores black women’s contributions to the Biden administration.

The Turkish government's weak response to the region’s devastating earthquakes may signal the beginning of a political shift away from the current administration. We speak with Prof. Ali Tekin, a political scientist on the ground. Then we pivot to a conversation about apologies–how to give and how to receive– with co-authors of the book “Sorry, Sorry, Sorry: The Case for Good Apologies", Marjorie Ingall and Susan McCarthy.

When the College Board removed concepts like “intersectionality, mass incarceration, reparations, and the Black Lives Matter movement” from its Advanced Placement African American Studies course, both educators and students were alarmed. These changes are just one of the results of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ 'Stop “Wrongs to our Kids and Employees” Act,’ otherwise known as the Stop W.O.K.E. Act, passed in 2022. Guest host Natasha Alford, Senior Correspondent for The Grio, speaks with Dr. Keisha Blain of Brown University and Sommer Brugal, reporter at the Miami Herald to learn how the policy is affecting students right now. Next Amara Abdullah, a student organizer and co-founder of the Black Lives Matter Youth Vanguard talks about her work for justice for Black students in schools, and author Marisa Renee Lee describes collective grief and how the erasure of Black history prevents necessary healing.

There are at least 18 documented gangs inside the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. Farai speaks with award-winning reporter Cerise Castle about her 15-part investigative series that explores the complex history of ‘deputy gangs.’ Her reporting finds that this group has terrorized and murdered Angelenos for decades with litigation related to these cases costing the County just over $100 million over the past 30 years. Later, Karen Attiah, Washington Post columnist and show contributor, leads our weekly roundtable ‘Sippin’ The Political Tea,’ on the importance of authentic self care including social media breaks. Attiah is joined by Morra Aarons-Mele, host of The Anxious Achiever podcast AND a forthcoming book with the same title; and Isa Watson, author of Life Beyond Likes and founder & CEO of the Squad app. Content Advisory: Descriptions of police violence

We’re uplifting Indigenous voices! First, Farai interviews Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland on what she’s learning from the survivors and descendants of the Federal Indian Boarding School system. Then, Farai speaks with Deputy Director of Western Native Voice, Ta’jin Perez, on the fight for tribal sovereignty. Plus, we revisit a 2014 conversation about Native American media from the podcast, “One With Farai” featuring Bird Runningwater, co-executive producer of the forthcoming TV series "Sovereign", and former director of the Sundance Institute Indigenous Program.

Hagar Chemali, foreign policy expert and host of the YouTube Show "Oh My World”, facilitates a conversation with OBP creator and host, Farai Chideya and foreign policy enthusiast and creator of the “What in the World?” podcast, Bunmi Akinnusoto about what pro-Bolsonaro Brazilians storming their congress tells us about extremism here in the US and around the world.

Farai interviews senior news writer and founding staffer at The Trace, Jennifer Mascia on the recent shootings in California, and what's going wrong with gun regulations in the US. Then, she speaks with the President of the American Psychological Association, Dr. Thema Bryant on how to identify individuals who are prone to committing acts of domestic terrorism, as well as how affected communities can heal from gun violence. Content Advisory: Mentions of various types of gun violence and suicide.

NPR Correspondent Cheryl Corley guest-hosts this week’s episode on the racial wealth gap and how Black Americans are working to narrow it. First, Corley speaks with former Alderwoman of Evanston, Illinois’s 5th Ward Robin Rue Simmons about how her organization, FirstRepair, is helping people across the nation in the fight for reparations. Corley also interviews the founder and executive director of Black Women Build Baltimore, Shelley Halstead, about how homeownership helps build wealth and community. Then, Corley and Washington Post personal finance expert Michelle Singletary discuss the importance of choosing the right financial planner, and why it's never too late to learn financial literacy.

Want more 'Our Body Politic' Episode 123? Here's the full conversation between guest host and NPR Correspondent Cheryl Corley and Washington Post personal finance expert Michelle Singletary. They talk through the importance of choosing the right financial planner, what Black families need to know about wealth, and why it's never too late to learn financial literacy.

Our Body Politic joined KPCC’s Public Radio Palooza for a special live taping featuring Farai in discussion with Dr. Safiya U. Noble, Professor of Gender Studies and African American Studies at UCLA, board member of the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, and author of Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism, about how to address inequities caused by the tech industry. Farai also interviews Julie Lythcott-Haims, New York Times best-selling author of How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success and Palo Alto councilmember about her goals to address wealth disparity and community displacement. We also feature live performances by singer-songwriter, Monica Martin, who opens up about her journey to becoming a musician.

Farai interviews transmedia conceptual artist Hank Willis Thomas and art curator, Rujeko Hockley about building an artistic legacy as life partners, and the role public and collaborative art plays in shaping our society. Then on our roundtable, Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai is joined by Washington Post columnist, Karen Attiah and Entertainment Correspondent for Scripps News, Casey Mendoza to discuss the latest in entertainment and pop culture, including Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Markle’s quest to control their narrative.

Two years after the attack on the U.S. Capitol, Farai interviews Dr. Barbara F. Walter, Rohr Professor of Pacific International Relations at the University of California, San Diego, and author of the New York Times bestseller, How Civil Wars Start, on the serious threat factionalism poses to American democracy. Then, Farai talks to former FBI agent, counterterrorism expert, and Associate Senior Vice President of Homeland Security, Dr. Erroll G. Southers, who details how and why homegrown violent extremism is widening the distance between Americans and a solid democratic process, and what is being done to stop it.

Our Body Politic celebrates the new year by re-airing our 100th episode. Farai reflects on some of the show’s most impactful moments of news and political coverage over the past two years with OBP regular contributors Karen Attiah, columnist for the Washington Post and Tiffany Jeffers, associate professor at Georgetown University Law Center. The trio examines the current political atmosphere, its origins, and reflect on how issues like reproductive rights, the COVID-19 crisis, and the aftermath of the Jan. 6 Insurrection could impact this year’s midterms elections and why cultivating hope and safeguarding democracy is more important than ever.

This week we re-air an episode from June 2022, featuring a past interview between Farai and the late intersectional activist, lawyer, educator, and author Urvashi Vaid who led movements for a range of progressive issues, including AIDS advocacy, LGBT rights, and prison reform. The pair discuss Vaid’s legacy as a leading figure in social change and what it truly takes to change the lived experience of everyone— to achieve lived equality. Then in our series, “Our Body Politics Presents…” we feature the podcast Truth Be Told with host Tonya Mosley who interviews minister and writer Danté Stewart about how to cultivate “little experiments of liberation” while experiencing and navigating repetitive acts of American violence.


Farai is joined by Karen Attiah, Our Body Politic contributor and columnist for the Washington Post, and Dr. Sarah J. Jackson, Presidential Associate Professor of communications at the University of Pennsylvania and coauthor of Hashtag Activism: Networks of Race and Gender Justice, to discuss what Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover could mean for women of color users. Then, we reach into the archives for a past conversation between Farai and Mellody Hobson, co-CEO of Ariel Investments about how race relations inform financial security and the vitality of providing financial literacy for people of color.

This week in our Political Remix series, we’re bringing back some of Farai’s key interviews with three women of color exploring the impact of gun violence and policing in the U.S. First, Farai speaks to activist, therapist, and mother, Nelba Marquéz-Greene on the aftermath of the Sandy Hook shooting. Then, we get reflections from Samaria Rice, mother of Tamir Rice, on policing and justice right after the conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Plus, Farai speaks to former Dallas Police Chief Reneé Hall on bridging the divide between Black communities and the police.

Farai interviews Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry, award-winning journalist, author, and host of WNYC’s “The Takeaway”, on reimagining how we view U.S. history and politics, specifically regarding how Black women in media and academia shape our nation’s progress. Then, Farai speaks with Tiffany Dufu, founder of The Cru, a peer coaching platform that provides women with community and resources to achieve professional goals and advance their careers.

This week we revisit an episode from our archives. First, a past conversation between Farai and author of Sign My Name to Freedom, Betty Reid Soskin, who retired at age 100 from her work as a National Park Ranger and community historian. Then in “Our Body Politics Presents,” we hear from Tonya Mosley’s podcast “Truth Be Told” where she speaks to Ayanna Brown, a mother who graciously details her cycle of loving, losing, grieving, and persevering. And on “Sippin’ the Political Tea” Farai speaks with professor and Vice Chair of preventive medicine at Northwestern University, Dr. Mercedes Carnethon and author of 55, Underemployed and Faking Normal, Elizabeth White on how to age well, physically, emotionally and financially.

This week, Farai interviews Jemele Hill, contributing writer for the Atlantic and author of the new book, Uphill: A Memoir on how her upbringing informs her impassioned writing and reporting. Then we receive insights on the 2022 midterm election results from political reporters across the nation such as Alex Nguyen with the Texas Tribune, Hibah Ansari with Minnesota’s Sahan Journal, and Lauren Gibbons of Bridge Michigan. And on our weekly political roundtable, Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai is joined by Kimberly Atkins Stohr, senior columnist for the Boston Globe and inaugural columnist for the Emancipator, and Sabrina Rodriguez, national politics reporter for the Washington Post.

This week, Farai interviews Tia Mitchell, Washington Correspondent for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and chair of the National Association of Black Journalists about the U.S. midterm election results in Georgia and what they tell us about the nation’s political atmosphere. And on this week’s roundtable foreign policy expert, host of “Oh My World” on Youtube, and Our Body Politic guest host, Hagar Chemali, is joined by Ash Sarkar, contributing editor for UK-based media company Novara Media, and Bobby Ghosh, Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering foreign affairs, to talk about the latest political news in Brazil and the United Kingdom.

This week on the show we’re presenting a midterms special where we highlight different races across the nation. Farai interviews Cheri Beasley, former Chief Justice of North Carolina’s Supreme Court on her race to replace retiring Republican senator Richard Burr. We hear from Tene Darby, chairperson of the Lancaster City Democratic Committee in Pennsylvania, on the midterm races happening in her state. Then, Farai speaks with Democratic state representative Dr. Yadira Caraveo on what she hopes to bring to Colorado state’s newly created 8th Congressional district. Farai is then joined by Astead Herndon, national political journalist and New York Times podcast host about how voters’ concerns are dictating their political affiliations and deepening polarization and division.

This week, Farai interviews Kiara Imani, Esq on how navigating “Black disprivilege” throughout her life led her to write her debut memoir “Therapy Isn’t Just for White People”. Then, Farai speaks to affirmation musician, Toni Jones, about how she uses music as a tool for healing. And on the weekly segment, Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai is joined by Dr. Kali Cyrus, psychiatrist, activist and co-founder of Gemma and Adriana Alejandre, trauma therapist and founder of LatinX Therapy on the state of our collective and personal mental health journeys, and how they are shaped by what’s happening in the world.

This week Farai talks to Wisconsin’s Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes about what inspired his run for the U.S. Senate, and how he sees the politics of division. Then, foreign policy expert Hagar Chemali interviews Firuzeh Mahmoudi, co-founder and Executive Director of United for Iran, about the youth and woman-led protests for bodily autonomy in Iran. And on our weekly segment, ‘Sippin’ the Political Tea,’ Farai is joined by Michelle Singletary, financial columnist at The Washington Post and Bryan Greene, Vice President of Policy Advocacy at the National Association of REALTORS®, to break down how inflation and rising interest rates affect homeownership.

This week, we’re offering another political remix of some of our most enlightening political conversations to provide context ahead of the 2022 Midterms. We bring back Farai’s interview with Tara Setmayer CNN political commentator and contributor to ABC News on why she chose to break her loyalty with the Republican party. Then, Farai speaks to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton about the fight for D.C. Statehood and Yamiche Alcindor, anchor and moderator of Washington Week on PBS and Washington Correspondent for NBC News on lessons from covering the Trump era. And on the weekly segment Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai is joined by Errin Haines, founder and editor-at-large for The 19th and April Ryan, political analyst and The Grio’s White House correspondent to process the guilty verdict for former officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, police reform, and the early days of the Biden-Harris administration.

This week, we’re spotlighting a powerful voting bloc: Generation Z. First, Farai interviews Maxwell Alejandro Frost, Democratic nominee for Florida’s 10th Congressional District, about how his Afro-Cuban identity and work as an organizer and musician help shape his political platform and views. Then Farai is joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and host of MSNBC’s “Into America” Trymaine Lee who shares what he’s learned about the political interests of young Black voters attending historically Black colleges and universities in his new series, “The Power of the Black Vote.”

This week, Farai speaks with reporter and WAPT-TV news anchor Troy Johnson on Jackson, Mississippi’s recurring water crisis, and why catastrophes like this so often happen in communities of color. Then, we share again Farai’s conversation from April with Carmen Yulín Cruz, former mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico, about how she guided her people through the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. And on our weekly segment, Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai is joined by Kim Wehle, law professor and advisor at Protect Democracy and Tammy Patrick, Senior Advisor to the Elections program at Democracy Fund to discuss election security ahead of the 2022 midterms.

This week, we’re re-airing some of Our Body Politic’s most noteworthy and illuminating political interviews from the past two years. In preparation of the 2022 Midterms, we’re looking at how some of the most pressing political issues continue to shape our nation by revisiting conversations with key public officials like New York Attorney General Letitia “Tish” James, who shares insights on holding Jan 6 insurrectionists accountable, scholar Geraldo Cadava, who breaks down the history of Hispanic Republicans, and Bertica Cabrera Morris, a longstanding Republican organizer and businesswoman. We also hear from U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawai’i who shares how being the only immigrant in the U.S. Senate shapes her politics, and Wes Moore, the current Democratic nominee for governor of Maryland, who shares how his ancestors’ experience with white supremacists and his service in the U.S. military inform and inspire his political career.

This week, Farai interviews Dr. Sayu Bhojwani, civic entrepreneur and founder of Women’s Democracy Lab, about what it takes to create a more inclusive democracy and what current intraparty tensions reveal about the election field ahead of the midterms. Then, we re-air a conversation from “One With Farai” featuring Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry and her 2011 book “Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America.” And in this week’s segment of ‘Sippin’ the Political Tea’, Farai interviews Bobby Ghosh, Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering foreign affairs and Hagar Chemali, foreign policy expert and host of “Oh My World!” on YouTube, about the death of Queen Elizabeth II amidst the United Kingdom’s energy crisis.

This week on Our Body Politic, creator and host Farai Chideya interviews Anita Kumar, longtime reporter and first-ever senior editor of Standards & Ethics at POLITICO, on the 2022 midterm elections landscape. Farai and Kumar delve into how issues like political violence and extremism, abortion rights, and even media coverage are playing for the upcoming elections. Then, Farai interviews Carmen Rita Wong, writer, journalist, finance expert and author of the new memoir “Why Didn’t You Tell Me?” Wong candidly shares how discovering a series of family secrets surrounding her heritage led her to re-examine her race and culture, while also forging a path for discovering and living as her most authentic self.

This week on Our Body Politic, creator and host Farai Chideya interviews Bryan Greene, consulting producer on the Oscar-winning documentary, “Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised),” and Vice President of Public Advocacy at the National Association of REALTORS. Farai and Greene discuss how events like the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival serve as opportunities for Black Americans to thrive in the face of social and housing discrimination. Then in our series, “Our Body Politics Presents…” we feature the podcast Truth Be Told with host Tonya Mosley who interviews author and scholar Dr. Marcia Chatelain and founder of Feed Our Soul Adrienne Wilson about how Black Americans are seeking and achieving equity by decolonizing their relationship to food.

This week, Farai interviews Steven Thrasher, LGBTQ scholar, journalist and author of “The Viral Underclass: The Human Toll When Inequality and Diseases Collide.” Thrasher offers insights from his new book on how systematic marginalization determines who is most affected by public health crises like HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and now – monkeypox. Then, Farai speaks to Howard Polskin, president and founder of “TheRighting,” a newsletter, site and social media feed that compiles and disseminates far-right political commentary to cross pollinate the divided media audiences in the U.S. and combat disinformation in the news.

This week, Our Body Politic celebrates its 100th episode. Host Farai Chideya reflects on some of the show’s most impactful moments of news and political coverage over the past two years with OBP regular contributors Karen Attiah, columnist for the Washington Post and Tiffany Jeffers, associate professor at Georgetown University Law Center. The trio examines the current political atmosphere, its origins, and reflect on how issues like reproductive rights, the COVID-19 crisis, and the aftermath of the Jan. 6 Insurrection could impact this year’s midterms elections and why cultivating hope and safeguarding democracy is more important than ever.

This week, host Farai Chideya interviews longtime TV and film producer and now co-director of the Sundance award-winning documentary Aftershock, Tonya Lewis Lee and one of the film’s featured subjects, reproductive justice advocate Shawnee Benton-Gibson. Benton-Gibson’s daughter died in October 2019 after giving birth – one more fatality in a long epidemic of Black maternal mortality. Farai also speaks to Lewis Lee one-on-one about how her work in media and experience as a children’s author led to her work as a maternal health advocate. Then, in our weekly segment Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai interviews legal analyst and NYU Law professor Melissa Murray and University of Pennsylvania Ph.D History candidate Kimberly St. Julian-Varnon about the impact and implications of the highly politicized conviction of WNBA star Brittney Griner in Russia.

This week, Our Body Politic re-airs a timely episode from November 2021. Host Farai Chideya talks with author and China expert Leta Hong Fincher about how feminists face up to the country’s authoritarian regime and the similarities with gender-equality struggles in the U.S. Sixto Cancel, CEO of the non-profit Think of Us, shares his experience in the foster care system and what their organization is doing to reform it. Chef Kia Damon explains why she prefers the term “food apartheid.” On Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai dives into the details of saving for retirement as Black women with Michelle Singletary of the Washington Post and Gwen McKinney of the media platform Unerased: Black Women Speak.

Is friendship truly the greatest gift of life? This week, Our Body Politic guest host and acclaimed radio journalist Celeste Headlee interviews psychologist, educator and author of the forthcoming book Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make– and Keep– Friends, Dr. Marisa Franco, who shares insights on the mental and physical benefits of social interactions and community building and how in times of loneliness, people are prone to inadvertently sabotage these critical bonds. Then, Headlee speaks with award-winning journalist and TV critic Eric Deggans about how the legacy of racism and exclusion and its continuation in fantastical mega-franchises like Star Wars serves to threaten any future fandoms, as newer generations are increasingly diverse.

This week, Farai interviews New York Times bestselling author Julie Lythcott-Haims on what adulthood— or “adulting”— looks like for millennials and Gen Zers, and how generally we can all live with more authenticity in her new book, Your Turn: How to Be an Adult. Then in the weekly segment, Sippin’ the Political Tea, we revisit an enlightening conversation about abortion access for Black women and girls between Farai, Georgetown law professor and OBP legal contributor Tiffany Jeffers, and UC Irvine law professor, Michelle Goodwin.

Who deserves and enjoys access to “America the Beautiful?” This week OBP guest host and veteran broadcast journalist Celeste Headlee interviews Baratunde Thurston, writer, activist and host of the new six-part PBS series, America Outdoors, about the new series and how we can collectively increase diversity in outdoor recreation and lean into more sustainable practices in nature. Then in the weekly segment, Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai speaks to Washington Post opinions columnist and OBP contributor, Karen Attiah and public defender for Legal Aid Society of New York and political commentator, Olayemi Olurin about the latest news in the Jan 6 Committee hearings, President Biden’s alleged tactics to address high gas prices, and the controversy around Senator Tiara Mack twerking on Tik Tok.

What does the movement for workplace equity and inclusion look like today? This week, Our Body Politic guest host and acclaimed radio journalist Celeste Headlee interviews Reshma Saujani, CEO of Girls Who Code on her new book PAY UP: The Future of Women and Work (and Why It’s Different Than You Think) and how equal pay for moms is the next frontier. Then, Headlee speaks to author and Franklin Covey inclusion and bias thought leader, Pamela Fuller, on how unconscious bias continues to plague workplaces and what might be done about it.

This week, Farai is joined by Washington Post investigative journalists and co-authors, Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa to talk about their new biography His Name is George Floyd and why they chose to document George Floyd’s life, legacy, aspirations and the systematic marginalization that derailed him from the American dream. Then Farai interviews writer and visual artist, K. Ibura about her debut youth novel, When the World Turned Upside Down, that explores overcoming adversity with the help of community during racial reckonings and COVID. And on the weekly segment Sippin’ the Political Tea, Breya Johnson of the Black Women’s Health Imperative joins Farai to discuss the fallout of the Supreme Court decision on abortion rights and what it means for all women and birthing people.

This week, Our Body Politic presents a special episode where Farai exclusively speaks to former Watergate prosecutor, legal expert and MSNBC analyst Jill Wine-Banks about the House Select Committee’s investigation into the January 6, 2021 insurrection. Wine-Banks offers insight into the shocking evidence that is coming out of the ongoing public hearings, the real life harm election officials are facing across the country due to disinformation, and answers OBP listeners questions surrounding the proceedings and what the outcome could mean for the future of U.S. democracy.

This week, Our Body Politic honors politics and pride, featuring a past interview between Farai and the late intersectional activist, lawyer, educator and author Urvashi Vaid who led movements for a range of progressive issues, including AIDS advocacy, LGBT rights and prison reform. The pair discuss Vaid’s legacy as a leading figure in social change and what it truly takes to change the lived experience of everyone— to achieve lived equality. Then in our series, “Our Body Politics Presents…” we feature the podcast Truth Be Told with host Tonya Mosley who interviews minister and writer Danté Stewart about how to cultivate “little experiments of liberation” while experiencing and navigating repetitive acts of American violence.

This week, Farai speaks to the filmmakers of a new documentary The Big Payback Erika Alexander and Whitney Dow along with a key voice from the film founder and executive director of FirstRepair, Robin Rue Simmons. The film follows the growing movement for reparations for centuries of government policies blocking Black wealth. Then in the “Our Body Politics Presents…” series, we feature a conversation between “This Day in Esoteric Political History” podcast hosts Jody Avirgan, Nicole “Niki” Hemmer, and Kellie Carter Jackson with special guest Jelani Cobb, New Yorker writer, about the evolving language used to describe Black Americans. Plus, in our weekly segment, Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai speaks to Mutale Nkonde, CEO of AI for the People and Kelsey Butler, equality reporter for Bloomberg News about the growing presence and impact of disinformation online and how the government could effectively intervene and curb it.

This week, we are revisiting some of OBP’s most joyous interviews starting with Farai’s conversation with two publishers of color, Elizabeth Méndez Berry, vice president and executive editor at One World, an imprint at Penguin Random House, and Lisa Lucas, senior vice president and publisher at Pantheon and Schocken Books on celebrating the work of BIPOC authors and critics. Then public health professionals and sisters Nilufar Kayhani and Nazineen Kandahari share the inspiration and beauty behind starting the Afghan Clinic, an online space that serves the health needs of fellow Afghans. Farai then speaks with Rue Mapp, founder of Outdoor Afro, about finding joy in the great outdoors and encouraging others to do the same. And in the weekly roundtable Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai talks with fellow women of color journalists, S. Mitra Kalita, founder and publisher of Epicenter NYC, and Jenni Monet, CEO of URL Media and author of newsletter Indigenously about what it means to identify as women of color and why identifying as one can evoke both personally powerful and political implications.

At Our Body Politic, the impact and experiences of Black women and other women of color takes center stage. This week, Farai interviews award-winning journalist, producer and author Danyel Smith, whose latest book, Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop offers insight into Danyel’s career in music journalism and highlights Black women’s seismic - and sometimes unsung - influence on the world of pop music. Then Our Body Politic presents a conversation between TransLash podcast creator and host Imara Jones and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, producer and actor Janelle Monae. Janelle opens up about the challenges of exploring their queerness in the public eye. And in the weekly segment Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai speaks to licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Riana Elyse Anderson and Girltrek co-founder Vanessa Garrison about health and wellness practices, specifically how to honor and communicate your needs in the wake of mass shootings.

This week, U.S. Representative Ruben Gallego of Arizona speaks with Farai about how his past experience as a Marine combat veteran helped him keep himself and fellow congresspeople safe during the insurrection on January 6, 2021 at the U.S. Capitol building. The pair also discuss the mass shooting in Buffalo and how replacement theory is a driving force for racial discrimination. 'Our Body Politic Presents' features Pushkin Industries’ podcast, “Getting Even With Anita Hill", with Anita Hill's interview of legal scholar and civil rights activist Kimberlé Crenshaw on Critical Race theory, a term Crenshaw helped coin in the late 1980s, that is now central to America’s culture wars. And on our weekly segment, Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai speaks to two veteran journalists and longtime residents of Buffalo, N.Y., Rod Watson and Sandy White, about the impacts of the racist mass shooting on their community.

Given the recent leaked draft of a Supreme Court decision which could overturn Roe v. Wade, we do a special episode with a focus on abortion access, law and lived experience. Farai starts with best-selling author of Nomadland, investigative journalist Jessica Bruder. Her Atlantic Magazine cover story, “The Abortion Underground” details the covert network that is preparing for the possible end of legal abortion on the national level. Farai invites Jessica to answer questions provided by OBP listeners as well as share additional insight she has on what preparing for a post-Roe future could look like. Then, Farai speaks with Madison Jacobs, communications strategist at the Public Rights Project about the state-level abortion fight in Michigan and elsewhere. In the weekly segment, Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai speaks with law professor and OBP legal contributor Tiffany Jeffers and reproductive rights expert and UC Irvine law professor Michele Goodwin, who begins with the lived experience and learnings from her own abortion.

What does it mean to age with purpose? In this week’s show, we are invited to hear a past conversation between Farai and author of Sign My Name to Freedom Betty Reid Soskin, who recently retired at age 100 from her work as a National Park Ranger and community historian. Then in “Our Body Politics Presents,” we hear more from Tonya Mosley’s podcast “Truth Be Told” where she speaks to Ayanna Brown, a mother who graciously details her cycle of loving, losing, grieving, and persevering. On the weekly segment, “Sippin’ the Political Tea” Farai speaks with professor and Vice Chair of preventive medicine at Northwestern University, Dr. Mercedes Carnethon and author of 55, Underemployed and Faking Normal, Elizabeth White on how to age well, physically, emotionally and financially.

This week Boston Globe senior op-ed writer Kimberly Atkins Stohr joins Farai to discuss the latest findings - and potential government involvement - in the January 6 insurrection investigation. Our host then speaks candidly with OBP senior producer Bianca Martin about Farai’s 30 year journey as a field reporter who focuses on the challenges to democracy and society, and who predicted the 2021 political violence. Their conversation leads us back 12 years to Farai’s radio documentary “Pop and Politics Radio.” Traveling hundreds of miles through Arizona during the 2010 midterm election, Farai and the documentary producers saw how many of today’s political battles began to take shape, laying groundwork for the 2021 insurrection.

How do you harness the power of money for the greater good? This week, Farai speaks to philanthropist Mona Sinha, founder and CEO of the Insight Circle Fund, about what it means to make an impact as a woman of color in the worlds of finance and of giving. In the series “Our Body Politic Presents…” Aimée Eubanks Davis, host and creator of the podcast After 1954 speaks to author of Black Teachers on Teaching, researcher and professor Michele Foster about the rich past of Black education in the United States, specifically the effects of school desegregation on Black students following Brown V. Board. Then in our weekly segment, ‘Sippin’ the Political Tea’, Farai speaks about pathways to shared prosperity and innovative approaches to community and finance with Nwamaka Agbo, CEO of the Kataly Foundation and Managing Director of the Restorative Economies Fund; and Jessica Norwood, Founder of RUNWAY.

This week, Farai speaks with Bridget Todd, technology guru and creator and host of the podcast, “There Are No Girls on the Internet.” In addition to spotlighting Bridget’s fascinating career as a digital creator and futurist, in our series, “Our Body Politic Presents…” we share a conversation between Bridget and freelancer and activist Shafiqah Hudson about how she and other Black women tried to help Twitter block disinformation. In our weekly segment, Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai speaks to senior adviser at The Lincoln Project and former GOP congressional communications director Tara Setmayer and op-ed columnist for the Washington Post and OBP Contributor Karen Attiah about the latest in U.S. news and politics, particularly how inflation and abortion are affecting current politics and the midterms.

This week, Farai speaks to Carmen Yulín Cruz Soto, former mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico about what it took to guide her people through the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, as well as to create a compass for women leaders to understand their own power. In "Our Body Politic Presents..." A’shanti Gholar, host of the podcast “The Brown Girls Guide to Politics” interviews Dr. Sadaf F. Jaffer, the first Asian-American woman and first Muslim American woman sworn into the New Jersey General Assembly, about what it means for someone with her intersecting identities to have a voice in legislation. On our weekly segment, Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai talks with Georgetown University law professor and OBP legal contributor Tiffany Jeffers and University of Baltimore law professor and Op-Ed columnist for the Atlantic and Politico Kim Wehle about all things Supreme Court.

This week, Farai speaks to Dr. Raven Baxter about the effects of “long COVID” and the power she discovered from her own personal journey with the illness. In "Our Body Politic Presents..." Tonya Mosley of the podcast “Truth Be Told” interviews her mother and parenting coach Yolanda Williams about the joys and challenges of raising free and healthy Black children in today’s world. On our weekly segment Sippin' the Political Tea, Farai talks with former Obama White House Health Policy Director Dr. Kavita Patel and psychiatrist and activist Dr. Kali Cyrus about mental health and equity in healthcare when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This week, Farai speaks to Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee who shares a firsthand take on the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings at Capitol Hill for SCOTUS nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. In ‘Our Body Politic Presents…’ we hear from actor and author Gabrielle Union who spoke to the podcast, “Well-Read Black Girl” about writing her truth. And in Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai talks with pop culture gurus Casey Mendoza of Newsy and Candice Frederick of the Huffington Post about all things Oscars.

And a big thank you to Tonya Mosley, host and creator of the podcast Truth Be Told and her team: Ayanna Angel, Aisha Brown, James T. Green and Enrico Benjamin. Truth be Told is a production of TMI Productions in association with Fearless Media.

This week on Our Body Politic, Farai looks back on the 2016-2017 Dakota Access Pipeline protests with investigative journalist Jenni Monet to discuss activism among indegeonous peoples in America and across the globe. Farai also talks with MacArthur Grant Award winner, Harvard professor and author Tiya Miles about one family heirloom from the enslavement period that remarkably stood the test of time. Then in our weekly segment "Sippin' the Political Tea" Farai is joined by Christina Greer, political scientist and Associate Professor at Fordham University and Kimberly St. Julian-Varnon, a Ph.D. student in History at the University of Pennsylvania, as they examine the discrimination and other barriers international students and also non-white Ukrainanians are facing in result of Putin's invasion.

This week, Farai talks with Georgetown law professor and OBP legal contributor, Tiffany Jeffers about the upcoming SCOTUS hearings for nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson. Farai also speaks with Marcus Mabry, Senior VP of Content Strategy and Global Pogramming at CNN, about the tools we need to digest important global news coverage (like the ongoing war in Ukraine). On Sippin the Political tea, she reviews the State of the Union and GOP politics with Errin Haines, Editor of the 19th and GOP strategist Tara Setmayer.

This week on Our Body Politic, Farai interviews Nelba Márquez-Greene, parent of one of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy that occurred ten years ago, and founder of The Ana Grace Project and This Grieving Life. Then, she talks money strategies with personal finance guru Michelle Singletary, who shares tips on what we can do as inflation hits record highs. And finally, in our weekly segment ‘Sippin’ the Political Tea’, Farai speaks with Major General Linda Singh and Moscow Bureau Chief of the Wall Street Journal, Ann Simmons on how Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine has drastically heightened tensions in Europe.

This week, Farai speaks to co-founders Akoto Ofori-Atta and Lauren Williams of the new media initiative, Capital B– aimed at providing what’s lacking in Black communities across the country – reliable and trusted journalism. Also, she meets with Stephanie Wash a producer of “X/onerated,” a documentary about the men accused, and after decades, exonerated in the killing of Malcolm X. Lastly, Karen Attiah of the Washington Post and Farai discuss her upcoming book and opinion column, which in recent weeks has tackled the controversies surrounding Joe Rogan and Whoopi Goldberg.

This week, Farai talks with Daily Beast columnist Wajahat Ali about the trials he and his family have faced in America as muslims with Pakistani roots. She then speaks with Glynda Carr of Higher Heights for America, and Carol Jenkins of the ERA Coalition to discuss how Black women and women of color fare in the upcoming midterm elections. On the weekly segment, ‘Sippin’ the Political Tea’ Farai was joined by CNN’s Eliza Anyangwe and podcaster Hagar Chemali to talk about the ongoing crisis between Russia and Ukraine, as well as Vice-President Kamala Harris’ role as world leaders attempt to intervene.

On this week's show, Host Farai Chideya talks with Politico’s Sabrina Rodriguez and pollster Fernand Amandi about how the Latino vote in Florida could shape this year’s elections. Award-winning journalist and author Celeste Headlee explores structural change around race in public media, and how everyone can have conversations about race that matter. Executive Coach Caroline Kim Oh talks about coaching BIPOC and women leaders, and the power of intentional time. And Farai sips the Political Tea about President Biden’s pending SCOTUS nomination with professors Christina Greer and Tiffany Jeffers.

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Host Farai Chideya talks to OBP’s economics analyst Jamila Michener of Cornell University about the real impact of inflation on low-wage workers, and why they are upsetting power dynamics in the labor market. Farah Stockman discusses her new book on the fates of workers at a factory in Indiana: “American Made: What Happens to People When Work Disappears.” Alina Brown explains why she shares her passion for astrology on YouTube. On the final Sippin’ the Political Tea of the year, Errin Haines of the 19th and Chrissy Greer of Fordham University examine the trajectories of women of color in leadership roles, especially Kamala Harris as she completes her first year as Vice President.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:30 Economics analyst Jamila Michener on the real impact of inflation12:39 Farah Stockman on her book on the working class today23:40 Alina Brown on bringing astrology to her YouTube channel31:13 Sippin’ the Political Tea: Errin Haines of the 19th and Professor Christina Greer discuss the future of Black women in U.S. politics

In this holiday rerun, Farai Chideya brings back some of the best interviews of the year. First, Representative Lauren Underwood of Illinois on her personal and professional connection to the maternal health crisis, and what she thinks politicians can and should do about it. Author Carmen Maria Machado shares how her gay memoir found itself at the center of a controversy in a Texas school district over what to teach students. Educator Lydia X.Z. Brown explains their perspective working within and without institutions as an activist in the disability justice movement. On Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai discusses how moms are faring with their mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the co-hosts of The Double Shift podcast, Angela Garbes and Katherine Goldstein.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:50 Representative Lauren Underwood on maternal health in the U.S.12:33 Author Carmen Maria Machado on the power of a moral panic18:38 Educator Lydia X.Z. Brown on embracing different ways of learning31:18 Sippin’ the Political Tea: the co-hosts of The Double Shift come on to talk to Farai about the mental health of moms during the Covid-19 pandemic

Host Farai Chideya talks with Pulitzer-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones about why people need to speak out against bans on teaching U.S. history, which we’d likely condemn if they were happening in any other country. Two publishers—Elizabeth Méndez Berry of One World and Lisa Lucas of Pantheon and Schocken—discuss the role of books and cultural criticism in the wider political discourse. Merlyne Jean-Louis shares her legal expertise making sure creative entrepreneurs protect their rights to intellectual property. On Sippin’ the Political Tea, Errin Haines of the 19th and Karen Attiah of the Washington Post discuss the legacy of bell hooks and how she impacted their work.EPISODE RUNDOWN1:08 Nikole Hannah-Jones on what we lose when we ban the teaching of history12:26 Elizabeth Mendez Berry and Lisa Lucas on the importance of cultural criticism23:26 Merlyne Jean-Louis on protecting your brand as a creative entrepreneur31:16 Sippin’ the Political Tea: Errin Haines of the 19th and Karen Attiah of the Washington Post join Farai in a discussion of the week’s news

Host Farai Chideya talks with LaTosha Brown, cofounder of the Black Voters Matter Fund, about where she thinks constituents like herself belong in the country’s two-party politics. Then Farai looks back at another voting rights and civil rights activist from decades past: Fannie Lou Hamer, as revisited by historian Keisha Blain in her new book: “Until I Am Free: Fannie Lou Hamer’s Enduring Message to America.” Adriana Lozada, a doula with years of experience helping birthing people, explains what needs to be done to address the maternal health crisis in the U.S. On Sippin’ the Political Tea, Errin Haines of the 19th leads a conversation with OBP legal analyst Tiffany Jeffers and CNN editor Eliza Anyangwe examining the Supreme Court’s arguments about abortion rights, Stacey Abrams’ leadership in Georgia, and the fall-out of Omicron across the globe.EPISODE RUNDOWN1:18 Voting rights activist LaTosha Brown on what keeps her motivated to make change12:32 Historian Keisha Blain on the life and legacy of Fannie Lou Hamer22:26 Doula Adriana Lozada on the U.S.’s maternal health crisis31:16 Sippin’ the Political Tea: Errin Haines of the 19th, Eliza Anyangwe of CNN, and Tiffany Jeffers of Georgetown Law dissect the week’s news

Host Farai Chideya talks with former Ohio state Senator Nina Turner about the pros and cons of being a progressive within the Democratic Party. Doctors Uché and Oni Blackstock share their family’s history with healthcare, and what we know and don’t know about the new Covid-19 variant. Dana Coester of 100 Days in Appalachia explains why she was not surprised by the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict after years studying rising, armed extremism among white youth. On Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai and two fellow journalists and media trailblazers—S. Mitra Kalita of URL Media and Jenni Monet of Indigenously—examine what it really means to consider themselves women of color.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:28 Progressive Democrat Nina Turner on whether the party can deliver for voters12:50 Doctors Uché and Oni Blackstock on their sense of purpose in medicine21:15 Journalist Dana Coester on extremist recruitment of white youth in the U.S.31:20 Sippin’ the Political Tea: journalists S. Mitra Kalita and Jenni Monet join Farai to discuss what it means to be a woman of color, especially in media

Host Farai Chideya talks with author and China expert Leta Hong Fincher about how feminists face up to the country’s authoritarian regime, and the similarities with gender-equality struggles in the U.S. Sixto Cancel of the non-profit Think of Us shares his experience in the foster care system, and what the organization is doing to reform it. Chef Kia Damon explains why she prefers the term “food apartheid.”  On Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai and two guests dive into the details of saving for retirement as Black women—that’s with Michelle Singletary of the Washington Post, and Gwen McKinney of the platform Unerased: Black Women Speak.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:14 Leta Hong Fincher on the feminists pushing against authoritarianism in China12:43 Sixto Cancel on his work to reform the U.S. foster care system23:13 Chef Kia Damon feeds the people in Brooklyn31:07 Sippin’ the Political Tea: communications specialist Gwen McKinney and the Washington Post’s Michelle Singletary get real about protecting your finances as you get older

Host Farai Chideya talks about the power of forgiveness with Sharon Risher, whose relatives were among the Mother Emanuel shooting victims. Michael Arad, the architect behind the new memorial to the Emanuel Nine, discusses the collaborative process of designing an homage to the congregation. Civil rights leader Rashad Robinson talks about the final report from the Aspen Institute’s Commission on Information Disorder. On Sippin’ the Political Tea, Karen Attiah of the Washington Post and Khiara Bridges of UC Berkeley examine the way politicians use Critical Race Theory to win elections.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:15 A family member of those slain at Emanuel AME Church in 2015 on the recent settlement by the Department of Justice12:36 Architect Michael Arad on building a memorial honoring the “Emanuel Nine”19:14 Civil rights leader Rashad Robinson on the Aspen Institute’s report on information disorder31:30 Sippin’ the Political Tea: columnist Karen Attiah and law professor Khiara Bridges examine the impact of critical race theory on our politics right now

Host Farai Chideya talks with MacArthur Fellow, poet Reginald Dwayne Betts, about why we struggle to articulate exactly how we want to change the prison system in the U.S. OB-GYN Dr. Jamila Perritt explains why she dreams of exercising her medical practice without the interference of politics. Gwen Ifill Award winner Sisi Wei of OpenNews examines the transition from focusing on diversity in newsrooms, to doing impactful anti-racist work in the media industry. And on Sippin’ the Political Tea, Mutale Nkonde of AI for the People and Nicol Turner-Lee of the Brookings Institution help Farai examine the latest tech news.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:44 Reginald Dwayne Betts on the power of reading books13:01 Dr. Jamila Perritt on the impact of abortion restrictions on women of color21:28  Sisi Wei on anti-racist work in the media industry31:50 Sippin’ the Political Tea: Mutale Nkonde and Nicol Turner-Lee cover the most important tech news of the last few weeks

Host Farai Chideya talks with longtime immigrant rights expert Cecilia Muñoz about Welcome.US, a website that connects people to the process of resettling newcomers. Our Body Politic contributors Diane Wong and Jenn Jackson, researchers at the GenForward survey, share their findings about the favorability of both major parties with young people of color. Author and global citizen Chloe Dulce Louvouezo embarks on an exploration of identity in her book, "Life, I Swear: Intimate Stories From Black Women on Identity, Healing and Self-Trust.” And on Sippin’ the Political Tea, Errin Haines of the 19th and Tiffany Jeffers of Georgetown Law dissect the week’s news with Farai, going through the major elections this month and what they say about the issues getting voters to the polls.EPISODE RUNDOWN1:04 Cecilia Muñoz on her new initiative to help us welcome refugees10:51 The data scientists at GenForward on young people of color and the two-party system21:21 Author Chloe Dulce Louvouezo on finding home in herself29:35 Sippin’ the Political Tea: Our Body Politic contributors Errin Haines and Tiffany Jeffers cover the week’s news with Farai Chideya

Host Farai Chideya asks Virginia gubernatorial candidate Princess Blanding about running on a third-party ticket and how her platform is diverse and inclusive. Our Body Politic public health contributor Dr. Kavita Trivedi covers everything we need to know about vaccines, and not only against Covid-19. Two sisters in the Bay Area share the story behind starting the Afghan Clinic, which serves the health needs of fellow Afghans. And on Sippin’ the Political Tea, Casey Mendoza of Newsy and Karen Attiah of the Washington Post, two contributors on the show, join Farai to examine what the Dave Chappelle controversy says about free speech, stan culture, and the importance of nuanced and fearless cultural critics, especially in communities of color.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:47 Third-party candidate Princess Blanding on her run to be Virginia’s Governor11:59 Dr. Kavita Trivedi updates us on all news related to vaccines21:18 Two public health professionals launch the Afghan Clinic to uplift their community’s health needs30:56 Sippin’ the Political Tea: Our Body Politic contributors Casey Mendoza and Karen Attiah dissect the controversy around Dave Chappelle

Host Farai Chideya talks with award-winning writer Edwidge Danticat about why it’s important to tell specific stories that complicate the immigrant narrative in the U.S. Writer Zeba Blay shares insights from her new book about Black women in pop culture, “Carefree Black Girls.” TV and filmmaker Felicia Pride discusses her focus on Honeys in her work in entertainment. And on Sippin’ the Political Tea, foreign policy expert Hagar Chemali and Leah Wright Rigueur of Johns Hopkins University, a leading expert on Black Republicans, join Farai to discuss the significance of the death of one of the last moderate Black conservatives, Colin Powell.EPISODE RUNDOWN1:40 Author Edwidge Danticat on complicating immigrant narratives12:37 Culture critic Zeba Blay on her new book “Carefree Black Girls”22:30 TV and filmmaker Felicia Pride on celebrating Black women over 4031:28 Sippin’ the Political Tea: foreign policy expert Hagar Chemali and Leah Wright Rigueur, a leading expert on Black conservatives, examine the complicated legacy of Colin Powell

Host Farai Chideya talks with Anita Hill thirty years after she first testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee that Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas had sexually harassed her. She discusses what we can do to address sexual assault in her new book, “Believing: Our Thirty-Year Journey to End Gender Violence.” Nicol Turner-Lee of the Brookings Institution explains why private tech companies should not go unregulated. Polly Irungu shares why she founded Black Women Photographers to provide new pathways into  her industry. And on Sippin’ the Political Tea, Errin Haines of The 19th and legal analyst Tiffany Jeffers of Georgetown Law join Farai to discuss the week’s news.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:35 Professor Anita Hill on ending gender violence in the U.S.12:36  Nicol Turner-Lee on the real impact of an unregulated digital economy25:20 Polly Irungu on investing in Black women and non-binary photographers31:09 Sippin’ the Political Tea: legal analyst Tiffany Jeffers and political contributor Errin Haines discuss the future of the GOP, abortion laws, and mask mandates in schools

Host Farai Chideya talks with author Minda Harts about the moment she made a difficult decision to leave a racist work environment and prioritize her mental health. Journalist Adam Serwer shares why he felt it was important to write about the Trump Presidency, even if he lost the 2020 election. Farai and business of entertainment contributor Casey Mendoza nerd out about the women of color making waves in science fiction and fantasy fandoms. And in a special episode of Sippin’ the Political Tea, retired Major General Linda Singh and Navy veteran Tashandra Poullard open up to Farai about the challenges of coming home from war, and how they’d like to see the U.S. military evolve beyond the “forever wars.”EPISODE RUNDOWN0:22 Author and executive Minda Harts on healing from racial trauma in the workplace13:03 Journalist Adam Serwer on tracing the genealogy of racism and eugenics21:14 Casey Mendoza on the women of color making their mark in sci-fi and fantasy31:55 Sippin’ the Political Tea: a special roundtable on the future of the U.S. military with two female women of color veterans

Host Farai Chideya celebrates the show’s first anniversary  with a conversation on Black homeownership and the importance of housing policy with 2021 MacArthur fellow and historian Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor. The data scientists at the GenForward survey dissect the anxiety and optimism of millennials of color around their financial futures. Farai talks with the three filmmakers behind “My Name is Pauli Murray,” a new Amazon documentary about the trail-blazing activist and lawyer. And on Sippin’ the Political Tea, contributors Karen Attiah of the Washington Post and Jamila Michener of Cornell University examine the U.S.’s responsibility towards Haitian migrants, and how the infrastructure debate on the Hill impacts women of color.To help celebrate our anniversary, you can fill out our listener feedback form here.EPISODE RUNDOWN1:21 MacArthur fellow Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor on the history of Black homeownership12:50 The latest GenForward survey on the financial lives of millennials of color23:16 A new documentary explores the influential life of Pauli Murray31:44 Sippin’ the Political Tea: contributors Karen Attiah of the Washington Post and Jamila Michener of Cornell University discuss the week’s news

Host Farai Chideya shares her experience at the “Justice for J6” rally and talks about how extremists view the media with reporter Chris Jones of the outlet 100 Days in Appalachia. Wes Moore, who’s running for governor in Maryland, says his ancestors facing white supremacists inspires his political career. Rue Mapp of Outdoor Afro helps others realize that “nature never closes.” And in a special roundtable, Anthea Butler and Robert P. Jones, two experts on religion and politics, explore how white evangelical Christianity is linked to extremism in the U.S.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:45 Farai discusses her experience at the “Justice for J6” rally with fellow extremism reporter Chris Jones12:42 Wes Moore on his campaign priorities as he runs for Governor of Maryland23:31 Rue Mapp of Outdoor Afro on ways to take advantage of nature31:28 Sippin’ the Political Tea: Anthea Butler and Robert P. Jones on the intersection of religion and politics in the U.S.

Farai Chideya talks with Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington about her decision to have an abortion years ago, and her experience of the January 6th insurrection. Our Body Politic’s new economics analyst Jamila Michener of Cornell University discusses important policy changes that could benefit workers. Public health contributor Dr. Kavita Trivedi gives practical advice for families with unvaccinated children as kids go back to school. On Sippin’ the Political Tea, Errin Haines and Jess Morales Rocketto join Farai to talk about the week’s news, and of course, AOC’s “Tax the Rich” dress.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:52 Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal gets personal about abortion rights12:56 Economics analyst Jamila Michener dissects job numbers for people of color21:30 Public health contributor Dr. Kavita Trivedi on Covid for kids under 1231:25 Sippin’ the Political Tea: Errin Haines of the 19th and Jess Morales Rocketto of the National Domestic Workers Alliance on the week’s news

Farai Chideya talks with Latina veteran Pam Campos-Palma about the role of the U.S. military in a changing geopolitical climate. Our legal analyst Tiffany Jeffers breaks down the new abortion and voting laws in Texas, and what she sees as a Republican tactic to chip away at constitutional rights. The Washington Post’s Tracy Jan details her team’s investigation into where $50 billion corporations  pledged last year to address racial inequality went. On Sippin’ the Political Tea, Hagar Chemali of “Oh My World” and Sonya Ross of Black Women Unmuted ponder the aftermath of  the attacks of September 11, 2001.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:00 Latina veteran Pam Campos-Palma on the end of the U.S. war in Afghanistan0:00 Legal analyst Tiffany Jeffers on the abortion ban and voting restrictions in Texas0:00 Washington Post reporter Tracy Jan on corporate accountability for money pledged to address racial inequality0:00 Sippin’ the Political Tea: Hagar Chemali of “Oh My World” and Sonya Ross of Black Women Unmuted on the 20th anniversary of 9/11

Farai Chideya talks with Dr. Leana Wen about how public health can save lives, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, and about her book “Lifelines.” Lydia X.Z. Brown explains how important it is to have a safe learning environment, especially with the return to in-person teaching. The new chief curator at the National Gallery of Art, E. Carmen Ramos, talks about elevating Latino and Latin American art in mainstream museums. On Sippin’ the Political Tea, Errin Haines of The 19th and political scientist Christina Greer of Fordham University join Farai to discuss the real-life ramifications of the abortion ban in Texas, and the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the withdrawal from Afghanistan.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:49 Public health expert Dr. Leana Wen answers listener questions about Covid-1912:30 Disability justice advocate and lawyer Lydia X.Z. Brown on the anxiety around returning to in-person teaching25:15 The National Art Gallery’s new chief curator E. Carmen Ramos on spreading her love of Latino art31:16 Sippin’ the Political Tea: Errin Haines of The 19th and political scientist Christina Greer discuss the week’s news, including the abortion ban in Texas

Farai Chideya talks with Nadia Hashimi, an Afghan-American pediatrician and novelist who advocates for Afghan women, about what she’s hearing from people on the ground there now. Tech contributor Mutale Nkonde explains how average social media users are being pulled into a network of disinformation about the Covid-19 vaccine. New York Times reporter Somini Sengupta makes the case that there’s still a lot we can do to mitigate climate disaster. On Sippin’ the Political Tea, Errin Haines of The 19th and Brittany Packnett Cunningham of the podcast Undistracted join Farai to discuss voting rights, New York’s new Governor, and why we need to reframe #MeToo as a social justice issue.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:20 Afghan-American author Nadia Hashimi on the urgency to evacuate Afghan women12:32 Tech contributor Mutale Nkonde on how disinformation about the Covid-19 vaccine is spreading22:07 New York Times reporter Somini Sengupta on the latest climate science31:21 Sippin’ the Political Tea: Errin Haines of The 19th and Brittany Packnett Cunningham of the podcast Undistracted join Farai to talk about the week’s news

Farai Chideya talks with journalist Dana Coester about her extensive reporting on how extremists recruit rural youth online. Carol Alvarado of the Texas Senate shares what it took to stage a 15-hour filibuster of a state law that would make it harder for people to vote. New York Times editor Veronica Chambers highlights the joy and lessons from the Black Lives Matter movement in her new children’s book “Call and Response: the Story of Black Lives Matter.” On Sippin’ the Political Tea, Eliza Anyangwe, editor at CNN’s “As Equals” series, and foreign policy expert Hagar Chemali who hosts “Oh My World” on YouTube, analyze the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan and the Western narratives around it.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:51 Award-winning journalist Dana Coester on how extremists recruit rural youth online12:53 Texas state Senator Carol Alvarado on her 15-hour filibuster to defend voting rights20:55 Veronica Chambers of the New York Times on her new children’s book ““Call and Response: the Story of Black Lives Matter.”31:42 Sippin’ the Political Tea: Eliza Anyangwe of CNN and Hagar Chemali of YouTube channel “Oh My World” on the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan

Farai Chideya goes into the history of voting rights with legal expert Sherrilyn Ifill of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund to fully understand why our democracy is under threat today. Representative Bee Nguyen of the Georgia General Assembly shares why protecting voting rights is central to her campaign for Georgia Secretary of State. Journalist Manolia Charlotin provides important historical perspective to help us understand the political upheaval in Haiti. On Sippin’ the Political Tea, New York politics is on the menu, with our host, Errin Haines of The 19th, and Marina Villenueve of the Associated Press.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:53 Sherrilyn Ifill breaks down our history of voting rights in the U.S.12:34 Georgia state Representative Bee Nguyen on her role defending voting rights in her state21:52 Manolia Charlotin of Press On offers context for the recent political upheaval in Haiti31:21 Sippin’ the Political Tea: Errin Haines of the 19th and Marina Villeneuve of the Associated Press talk about New York state politics

Farai Chideya talks with Dr. Angel Pérez of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling about how students can access the resources they need for a successful college experience. Luvvie Ajayi Jones shares lessons from her book on facing your fears. Latinx author Carmen Maria Machado addresses criticism of her memoir from a school district in Texas, and why it matters to share her story. Social media maven Omehabiba Khan tells the origin story of her successful Instagram dating site for Muslims, Rishta Live. And on the weekly roundtable Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai Chideya talks about what accountable, community-based journalism can look like with two founders of local news organizations based in New York: Mazin Sidahmed of Documented, and S. Mitra Kalita of Epicenter-NYC.EPISODE RUNDOWN00:35 Dr. Angel Pérez gives advice for college students and their families approaching the new year13:01 Luvvie Ajayi Jones on facing fear, which she calls “the everlasting hater”22:02 Author Carmen Maria Machado on moral panic and her book “In the Dream House”27:07 Omehabiba Khan on her online dating platform for Muslims31:30 Sippin’ the Political Tea: Farai Chideya and journalists S. Mitra Kalita of Epicenter-NYC and Mazin Sidahmed of Documented talk about local journalism

Farai Chideya talks with author Roxane Gay about the skill and craft required to write about trauma. Writer Deesha Philyaw of “The Secret Lives of Church Ladies” explores womanhood, relationships, and “what we owe our mothers.” Journalist Soledad O’Brien on navigating racism and sexism in the media industry, and striking out on her own. On Sippin’ the Political Tea, Errin Haines of The 19th examines the importance of taking the insurrection of January 6th seriously, with political scientist Christina Greer and public policy expert Carol Anderson.EPISODE RUNDOWN00:42 Roxane Gay on the skill it takes to write about trauma12:44 Deesha Philyaw on writing and womanhood22:37 Soledad O’Brien on taking her own path in journalism31:45 Sippin’ the Political Tea: Errin Haines and special guests Carol Anderson and Christina Greer talk about the week’s news

Farai Chideya talks with St. Louis mayor Tishaura Jones about how she hopes to accomplish her progressive goals. Business of entertainment contributor Casey Mendoza reports on the #FreeBritney movement as a reproductive justice issue, and shares which entertainment venues are reopening. Astrophysicist Sarafina Nance explains how she manages the sexism and racism in her field, and invites other women like her to study science. And Errin Haines of The 19th hosts the weekly news roundtable Sippin’ the Political Tea, with Tiffany Jeffers and Jess Morales Rocketto.EPISODE RUNDOWN00:54 St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones on public safety reform 13:08 Contributor Casey Mendoza on this summer’s entertainment news 23:18 Astrophysicist Sarafina Nance on making her mark31:56 Sippin’ the Political Tea: Errin Haines, Jess Morales Rocketto, and Tiffany Jeffers talk about the week’s news

Farai Chideya talks with Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, a Biden-Harris adviser on Covid-19 and health equity, about where we are in the pandemic. Researcher Dr. Jenn Jackson shares the GenForward survey results that show young people’s evolving stance on policing and police reform. Sharon Chang and Kamal Sinclair of the Guild of Future Architects reimagine public safety. Ten-year-old Tanitoluwa Adewumi and his family on overcoming obstacles to help him become chess national master. And Farai Chideya, Errin Haines, and Jess Morales Rocketto update us on the voting rights debate in the weekly news roundtable, Sippin’ the Political Tea.EPISODE RUNDOWN00:55 Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith is Chair of the Presidential Covid-19 Health Equity Task Force13:10 A look at the GenForward surveys on protests and policing18:49 The Guild of Future Architects takes on public safety reform27:42 Tani Adewumi shares how he became a chess national master32:05 Sippin’ the Political Tea: Errin Haines, Jess Morales Rocketto, and Farai Chideya talk about the week’s news

Farai Chideya talks with Representative Nydia Velázquez about recovery and self-determination for Puerto Rico, and how she paved the way for other Latinas in Congress. Cecilia Muñoz, longtime policy expert and former Obama administration official, explains how Democrats and Republicans just aren’t having the same conversation when it comes to immigration reform. Our Body Politic producer Priscilla Alabi looks into ways of forming a susu, and the scams that are taking advantage of this age-old savings practice. And political contributor Errin Haines leads a conversation about women of color creating their own career paths on the roundtable, Sippin’ the Political Tea, with Farai and Jess Morales Rocketto.EPISODE RUNDOWN00:31 Representative Nydia Velázquez on Puerto Rican voters13:12 Policy expert Cecilia Muñoz on how to frame immigration reform23:17 A look at the age-old practice of the susu and how it's faring today32:04 Sippin’ the Political Tea: Errin Haines, Jess Morales Rocketto, and Farai Chideya talk about the week’s news

Farai Chideya talks with journalist Judd Legum about why he digs deep into corporate money in politics, especially after the insurrection of January 6th. Our Body Politic health contributor Dr. Kavita Trivedi shares how to stay safe with the spread of the Delta variant of Covid-19, and convincing your loved ones to get vaccinated. In her new book, The Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik challenges us to rethink our paradigms for understanding politics. Plus, political contributor Errin Haines and legal analyst Tiffany Jeffers join Farai on the roundtable, Sippin’ the Political Tea, to discuss assaults on voting rights, the staying power of Trumpism, and the myth of objectivity.EPISODE RUNDOWN00:54 Journalist Judd Legum on holding corporations accountable for their political spending12:54 Health contributor Dr Kavita Trivedi on the latest Covid-19 news23:42 Nesrine Malik on her book “We Need New Stories: The Myths that Subvert Freedom”31:23 Sippin’ the Political Tea: Errin Haines, Tiffany Jeffers ,and Farai Chideya talk about the week’s news 

Farai Chideya talks with Our Body Politic legal analyst Tiffany Jeffers and Slate’s health and race reporter Julia Craven on a Sippin’ the Political Tea roundtable focused on new Supreme Court rulings. Retired Major General Linda Singh of the Maryland National Guard shares her experience handling sexual assault cases in the military, and why she wants to hold the institution’s leaders accountable. Military Times bureau chief Meghann Myers explains why the military is having trouble tackling another pressing issue: extremism within its ranks. And Farai talks with fellow journalist Geraldine Moriba about what constitutes extremism, and how it manifests in the false “Lost Cause” narrative about the Confederacy.EPISODE RUNDOWN00:49 On Sippin’ the Political Tea, legal analyst Tiffany Jeffers and journalist Julia Craven discuss the latest SCOTUS decisions18:40 Retired Major General Linda Singh on holding military leaders accountable for addressing sexual assault30:46 Military Times reporter Meghann Myers on the military’s efforts to tackle extremism within its ranks39:37 Journalist Geraldine Moriba on confronting false narratives about the Confederacy and Confederate monuments

Farai Chideya talks with special guest Jenni Monet, an Indigenous affairs reporter and media critic at Indigenously, and Errin Haines of The 19th, on Sippin’ the Political Tea. U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia L. Fudge explains why it’s so important to her that the federal government call out systemic racism. Harvard University historian Annette Gordon-Reed reflects on Juneteenth through the lens of memoir. And author Nobuko Miyamoto shares her new book, “Not Yo’ Butterfly,” about her decades as an artist and activist in the U.S.EPISODE RUNDOWN1:02 Sippin’ the Political Tea discusses the week’s news with Indigenous affairs reporter Jenni Monet and contributor Errin Haines18:45 Secretary Marcia L. Fudge of Housing and Urban Development on acknowledging systemic racism in the federal government30:03 Annette Gordon-Reed of Harvard on celebrating Juneteenth growing up in Texas38:00 Nobuko Miyamoto on her new memoir and the power of artistic expression

Farai Chideya welcomes the co-hosts of The Double Shift podcast on Sippin’ the Political Tea to talk about the impact the pandemic had on moms’ mental health, and how they can begin to recover. New York Times Opinion columnist Jamelle Bouie shares his views on the latest voting rights legislation, and why he decided to take full parental leave this year for the birth of his second child. Dr. Miguelina Germán, a child behavioral health specialist, gives an overview of how children have fared this past year, and what we have to look forward to with schools reopening. And camp counselor and Black Outside director Angelica Holmes shares her personal and professional experience with the benefits of outdoor activities for Black girls.EPISODE RUNDOWN00:39 Sippin’ the Political Tea covers the mental health of mothers during the pandemic with the co-hosts of The Double Shift podcast18:19 Jamelle Bouie on voting rights, studying history, and being a full-time parent30:07 Dr. Miguelina Germán on the mental health of children during the pandemic39:11 Camp counselor Angelica Holmes on the importance of taking kids outdoors

On Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai Chideya  goes through the most important news of the week with contributors Errin Haines of the 19th and Jess Morales Rocketto of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. Farai welcomes Trymaine Lee of MSNBC’s podcast “Into America” to talk about his coverage of the centennial of the Tulsa Massacre. Social justice advocate Tamika Mallory shares her family’s legacy of activism in her new book, “State of Emergency.” OBP tech contributor Mutale Nkonde of AI for the People explains why we’re more aware of disinformation and misinformation after January 6th, and what her organization is doing to combat algorithmic discrimination. EPISODE RUNDOWN00:39 Sippin’ the Political Tea with Errin Haines of the 19th and Jess Morales Rocketto of the National Domestic Workers Alliance goes over the week’s news18:22 Trymaine Lee of MSNBC on the Tulsa Race Massacre’s impact on Black business owners today30:39 Tamika Mallory on her new book and generations of her family being activists39:45 Mutale Nkonde of AI for the People explains our growing understanding of disinformation and misinformation and their role in Covid vaccinations

Farai Chideya talks with Dr. Anthea Butler, professor at the University of Pennsylvania, about the role white evangelical Christians play in maintaining racist systems in the U.S. Girls Who Code founder Reshma Saujani shares why she started the Marshall Plan For Moms, to support working mothers trapped by poor child care systems and the Covid-19 financial fallout. Documentary filmmaker Loira Limbal talks about her movie “Through the Night,” which profiles families that run and utilize a 24-hour daycare center. And Farai Chideya welcomes Michelle Singletary, personal finance columnist at the Washington Post and author of the new book, "What To Do With Your Money When Crisis Hits,” and Nathalie Molina Niño, managing director at Known Holdings, to Sippin’ the Political Tea, for a roundtable dedicated to securing your finances post-Covid.1:03 Dr. Anthea Butler on the political power of white evangelical Christians12:21 Girls Who Code founder Reshma Saujani on why moms need better child care infrastructure18:30 Documentarian Loira Limbal shares her poignant film about a 24-hour daycare center and the families that rely on it29:03 Sippin’ the Political Tea welcomes Washington Post columnist Michelle Singletary and impact investor Nathalie Molina Niño for a practical roundtable about securing your finances post-Covid

Farai Chideya talks with political advisor and long-time conservative Tara Setmayer on repudiating Donald Trump from the beginning, and where she fits in our divided body politic. Valerie Jarrett, Board Chair of the non-profit Civic Nation, shares what they're doing to get more disproportionately impacted people vaccinated. Our public health contributor Dr. Kavita Trivedi is back with an update on what to do and not do once you’re vaccinated. And Farai Chideya welcomes Errin Haines of the 19th and Jess Morales Rocketto of the National Domestic Workers Alliance for a round of Sippin’ the Political Tea all about the week's news.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:49 The Lincoln Project advisor Tara Setmayer on the turmoil within the Republican Party12:41 Former Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett on the importance of vaccinating people of color20:56 Public health contributor Dr. Kavita Trivedi on what’s really going on with the CDC’s recommendations31:18 Sippin’ the Political Tea with regular contributors Errin Haines and Jess Morales Rocketto covers the week’s news

Farai Chideya talks with Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawai’i about opposing Donald Trump vociferously, her bill to tackle anti-Asian hate crimes, and her new memoir. Our Body Politic legal analyst Tiffany Jeffers explains the Supreme Court’s latest decision on life imprisonment for minors, and updates Farai on voting rights across the country. Dr. Jenn Jackson and Dr. Diane Wong, research analysts at the GenForward Survey, discuss what makes good data, and what sets their survey apart. And Farai Chideya welcomes Errin Haines of the 19th and Karen Attiah of the Washington Post to Sippin’ the Political Tea for a roundtable focused on international news.0:57 Senator Mazie Hirono on evolving her leadership in the Senate12:33 Legal analyst Tiffany Jeffers on the Supreme Court case about sentencing minors to life without parole21:13 Researchers from the GenForward Survey on working hand-in-hand with community28:56 Sippin’ the Political Tea: an international news roundup analyzes the changing role of the United States in worldwide issues, with special guest Karen Attiah of the Washington Post

This week Farai Chideya looks at what makes it into our history books—and why—with New York Times investigative journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of the 1619 Project. Then she talks with poet and philanthropist Elizabeth Alexander about how monuments and public spaces also shape our historical narrative. Dr. Mary Bassett of Harvard University shares what she thinks it will take to truly address healthcare inequities laid bare by Covid-19, and how that would prepare us for the next epidemic. And the weekly roundtable Sippin’ the Political Tea welcomes special guests Kyhisha Zebley, a police sergeant in Philadelphia, and Gabriela Mejia, an anti-harassment advocate at the organization Hollaback!, to talk about how to be a safe and effective bystander during encounters with police.1:05 Nikole Hannah-Jones on why teaching the 1619 Project is a free speech issue12:41 Poet Elizabeth Alexander on the role of public spaces in teaching history20:59 Dr. Mary Bassett talks about lessons learned from Zimbabwe’s healthcare system29:15 Sippin’ the Political Tea: how to be a safe witness to police brutality with a law enforcement officer and an anti-harassment advocate

This week Farai Chideya talks with DC Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on why she’s fighting to make DC a state. Public opinion researcher Tresa Undem shares how attitudes about race, gender, and power influenced voters in 2020. Retired Major General Linda Singh of the National Guard talks about how the insurrection on January 6th highlighted the need to focus on domestic terrorism, and discusses the role of law enforcement in social-justice protests. On Sippin’ the Political Tea, contributors Errin Haines of the 19th and Jess Morales Rocketto of the National Domestic Workers Alliance join Farai to take stock of the first 100 days of the Biden-Harris administration.0:52 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the argument for DC statehood12:30 Survey researcher Tresa Undem on top predictors for voters in 202020:22 Retired Major General Linda Singh on the aftermath of January 6th28:50 Sippin’ the Political Tea: a look back at the first 100 days of the Biden-Harris administration with regular contributors Errin Haines and Jess Morales Rocketto

This week Farai Chideya talks with Samaria Rice, mother of Tamir Rice and founder of the Tamir Rice Foundation, on what justice looks like to her. Our Body Politic contributor Dr. Kavita Trivedi reminds us how to keep children safe until they’re eligible for Covid-19 vaccines. PBS NewsHour White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor reflects on the responsibility of covering whoever is in power. And The Grio’s April Ryan joins our Sippin’ the Political Tea roundtable to analyze the week’s news.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:48 Samaria Rice on what justice looks like to her and her family12:16 Contributor Dr. Kavita Trivedi on how to protect kids in the pandemic19:58 PBS NewsHour’s Yamiche Alcindor on lessons learned from the Trump era30:49 Sippin’ the Political Tea invites The Grio’s April Ryan to talk about the news

This week Farai Chideya talks with Representative Val Demings about Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial, the continued threat of domestic terrorism, and her thoughts on George Floyd’s murder as a former officer of the law. Cannabis entrepreneur Khadijah Adams talks about what it would take to give people of color an equal opportunity in the industry they helped create. And Dianna Houenou of New Jersey’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission shares what it means to work for social equity in the state’s new cannabis marketplace. Plus, on our weekly roundtable, Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai welcomes business of entertainment contributor Casey Mendoza and #OscarsSoWhite founder April Reign to talk about what the latest awards nominations say about inclusion in Hollywood.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:44 Representative Val Demings on accountability for the January 6th insurrection12:33 Dianna Houenou on New Jersey’s regulation of cannabis businesses19:08 Khadijah Adams on why people of color need to invest in the marijuana industry28:44 Sippin’ the Political Tea: representation in Hollywood with #OscarsSoWhite campaign founder April Reign and OBP business of entertainment contributor Casey Mendoza

This week Farai Chideya talks with Representative Lauren Underwood about how the federal government can tackle the Black maternal health crisis. Dr. Rachel Hardeman of the Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity explains why she focuses on the impact of racism on health. Farai shares the latest findings that Black women are over three times more likely to die of Covid-19 than white men or Asian men in two U.S. states. And we learn about Dr. Justina Ford, a Black doctor in the 1900s who served patients of color in Denver. On Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai and Errin Haines of the 19th welcome journalist Fernanda Santos to talk about the state of things at the U.S.-Mexico border, and the possibilities of immigration reform under the Biden-Harris administration.EPISODE RUNDOWN1:03 Representative Lauren Underwood on the Black maternal health crisis12:00 Doctor Rachel Hardeman on how racism impacts health outcomes20:45 Covid Update: new study on Black women’s high mortality rates, plus Covid risks for pregnant people23:52 Sylvia Lambe shares the story of Dr Justina Ford, a Black doctor who delivered 7,000 babies at her home in Denver30:21 Sippin’ the Political Tea: the state of migrants at the Mexican border, and immigration reform from the Biden-Harris administration

This week Farai Chideya talks with Nse Ufot, CEO of the New Georgia Project, and Tiffany Jeffers, Our Body Politic legal analyst, about the ramifications of Georgia’s restrictive new voting law. House Majority Whip James Clyburn on the need to still work across the aisle. Farai asks EunSook Lee, director of the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund, about the growing political power of Asian-American women. And Farai and Errin Haines of the 19th welcome writer Jemele Hill to Sippin’ the Political Tea, our weekly roundtable, to talk about voting rights, politics in sports, and the gender pay gap.EPISODE RUNDOWN1:26 Nse Ufot and Tiffany Jeffers on Georgia’s new voting law13:01 Representative James Clyburn on bipartisanship in Congress19:16 EunSook Lee on AAPI political organizing across the country28:02 Sippin’ the Political Tea: the intersection of politics and sports with guest Jemele Hill

This week Farai Chideya talks with Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley about her legislative priorities, holding fellow members of Congress accountable for the insurrection, and what keeps her going in the fight for justice. Georgia State Senator Dr. Michelle Au decries anti-Asian American hate and wants fellow politicians to treat gun violence as a public health issue. TransLash Media founder and journalist Imara Jones reflects on her experience of patriarchy and Trump’s weaponization of government against trans people. And our weekly roundtable, Sippin’ the Political Tea, welcomes sociologist Nancy Wang Yuen and podcast host Merk Nguyen to talk with Errin Haines about how Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are experiencing the racial animus of the past year.0:53 Representative Ayanna Pressley on her goal to legislate healing and racial equity12:44 Georgia State Senator Michelle Au on what’s needed to address anti-Asian violence21:27 Imara Jones of TransLash Media talks about how to protect and uplift trans lives29:11 Sippin’ the Political Tea: how Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are experiencing the racial animus of the past year

This week Farai Chideya talks with WNBA star Layshia Clarendon about their role in pushing the league to engage with politics, and why it’s important for them to proudly share their identity as a Black, trans and nonbinary, Christian person. Marian Liu of the Washington Post examines the shootings in Atlanta, Georgia, that left six Asian women dead, and how race, gender, and immigration underscore what happened. Author Anna Malaika Tubbs shares highlights from her new book about Louise Little, Berdis Baldwin, and Alberta King, the mothers of three important civil rights leaders. And our weekly political roundtable, Sippin’ the Political Tea, welcomes Our Body Politic Executive Producer Juleyka Lantigua-Williams in conversation with Farai and Jess Morales Rocketto, Civic Engagement Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. They discuss the workers who were murdered in Atlanta, the role of Trumpism in rising violence, and what Interior Secretary Deb Haaland intends to focus on.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:56 Layshia Clarendon on the grassroots activism in the WNBA12:19 Marian Liu of the Washington Post discusses the violence in Atlanta20:32 Anna Malaika Tubbs talks about the powerful Black mothers of civil rights leaders28:07 Sippin’ the Political Tea: the gender-based violence in Georgia, Deb Haaland’s confirmation as Interior Secretary, and voting rights in Florida

This week Farai Chideya dives into the consequences of zero-sum thinking around race with Heather McGhee, author of “The Sum of Us.” Marissa Tirona recounts her harrowing experience with Covid-19, one year after her hospitalization in New York City. Our Covid Update looks at vaccination rates among people of color. Our Body Politic national security contributor Holli Draines breaks down what we need to know about threats to Capitol Hill. And Errin Haines of the 19th and Jess Morales Rocketto of the National Domestic Workers Alliance dissect the Covid relief package, the White House’s latest move on gender policy, and voter suppression in Sippin’ the Political Tea, our weekly political roundtable.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:54 Heather McGhee on the role racism plays in U.S. domestic policy failures12:03 Marissa Tirona recalls her hospitalization with Covid-19 one year ago22:06 Holli Draines on vetting security personnel at the U.S. Capitol 27:53 Sippin’ the Political Tea: Covid relief, White House gender policy, and voter suppression in Georgia

This week we’re recharging and planning ahead. So we’ve curated some of the most interesting conversations Farai Chideya has had with our guests in the last few months. Senator Tammy Duckworth talks about how her service in the military inspires her political leadership, including her advocacy for veterans and people with disabilities. Investor Nathalie Molina Niño explains why it makes business sense to see entrepreneurship by women of color as an investment opportunity. Professor Steven Thrasher explains the ableism that seeps into talk of Covid-19’s disproportionate impact on communities of color, and the creation of what he calls a “viral underclass.” Journalist Leezel Tanglao talks about the platform Tayo Help which disseminates useful information to Filipinos, a population heavily impacted by Covid-19 due to the large number of Filpino healthcare workers on the front lines of the pandemic. MacArthur Fellow Tressie McMillan Cottom shares her personal story of pregnancy and loss to “reanimate” the worrisome statistics about Black maternal mortality. And futurists Sharon Chang and Kamal Sinclair discuss better ways our country could plan for retirement and work-life balance.EPISODE RUNDOWN3:40 Senator Tammy Duckworth says even though she was injured in combat, serving in the military was the “greatest privilege” of her life.5:37 Senator Duckworth explains why it’s important to tailor policy so veterans can transfer their skills to the civilian workforce.10:02 Senator Duckworth says she would like to see more people with disabilities in government positions in order to inform policy.15:06 Nathalie Molina Niño describes the moment she realized that access to money was the root issue getting in the way of success for women and people of color entrepreneurs.23:02 Dr. Steven Thrasher explains why he says ableism is a “plague” during the Covid-19 pandemic.28:16 Leezel Tanglao talks about her online platform Tayo Help and how it works to stop the spread of misinformation about Covid-19 within the Filipino community.37:44 Tressie McMillan Cottom talks about her hesitancy to write about the death of her newborn daughter, but says she did so to illuminate how a statistic could be someone’s lived experience.44:20 Sharon Chang and Kamal Sinclair of the Guild of Future Architects discuss what a true work-life balance could look like if society redefined the value of work.

This week, Farai Chideya talks with Senator Elizabeth Warren about why she still pushes for student debt relief and an increased minimum wage, and why she believes these are racial-justice issues. Epidemiologist and Our Body Politic contributor Dr. Kavita Trivedi takes our most pressing questions about Covid-19 vaccinations. Film producer and author Tanya Selvaratnam discusses her new book “Assume Nothing: A Story of Intimate Violence.” Plus, our political roundtable with Errin Haines and special guest Brittany Packnett Cunningham, unpacks the racial resentment behind the aftermath of the January 6th insurrection, CPAC, and Senators’ grilling of the Biden-Harris Cabinet picks.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:59 Senator Elizabeth Warren talks about how her personal experience growing up “on the ragged edge of the middle class” informs her view of our current economic structures6:15 Black and Latinx students are disproportionately impacted by student loan debt, Senator Warren explains, which is why she says debt relief is a racial-justice issue.12:11 Dr. Kavita Trivedi explains in detail what you need to know about the protection the Covid-19 vaccine provides.15:39 The decline in Covid cases in the U.S. might be a hopeful sign as we aim for herd immunity, Dr. Trivedi says.22:06 Tanya Selvaratnam discusses why she wrote her new book, “Assume Nothing: A Story of Intimate Violence.”25:13 Selvaratnam says she talks about her experience with intimate partner violence to remove the stigma of being a survivor of abuse.30:41 “Sippin’ the Political Tea” guest Brittany Packnett Cunningham talks about her podcast, UNDISTRACTED.35:19 Errin Haines talks about the potential significance of Maya Wiley’s candidacy in the New York City mayoral race.36:04 Haines says the idea of “electability” hampers many minority candidates, including Black women who run for office, but that “electing somebody is what makes them electable!”37:56 Packnett Cunningham compares the lack of accountability for the January 6th, 2021, insurrection to decisions made in the post-Civil War era.40:12 “I'm less worried about Donald Trump running for reelection than I am about a kinder, gentler, ready-for-prime-time Donald Trump to run,” Packnett Cunningham says, about why it’s important to hold the former President accountable for his role in the insurrection.42:28 Packnett Cunningham says the real concern about elections should be around the unprecedented amount of voter suppression bills currently in state legislatures.44:50 Farai Chideya says fear of revenge from historically oppressed minorities may be a factor in the higher scrutiny several Biden-Harris Cabinet nominees are currently facing in the Senate.

This week, Farai Chideya talks to Charles Blow, New York Times opinion columnist and author of “The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto,” about his proposal for building Black political power in the South. Dr. Ashish Jha of Brown University explains why vaccinating against Covid-19 must be a global effort, and Dr. Debra Furr-Holden of Michigan State University says getting Black Americans vaccinated is a key part of that effort. Our business of entertainment contributor Casey Mendoza breaks down who was nominated, who was snubbed, and who might be miscategorized at the Golden Globes. And political roundtable regulars Errin Haines and Jess Morales Rocketto explain why it’s important to keep trying to hold former President Trump accountable for his actions, despite his acquittal by the Senate.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:55 Writer and columnist Charles Blow explains how moving en masse can change the political dynamics of a state. 7:04 A central argument in his book, Blow dispels the myth that racism only exists in the South.  10:34 Blow says that because of implicit bias, multi-racial coalitions can be limiting for building Black power. 14:16 Dr. Ashish Jha explains how herd immunity works in the vaccination process. 16:26 Dr. Jha says there is promising research that current vaccines can fight against most variants of Covid-19. 17:54 Dr. Jha says that vaccination efforts must be global in order to eliminate the threat of Covid-19 variants that prolong the pandemic.19:58 Casey Mendoza looks at past controversies addressing the lack of diversity in entertainment awards shows.22:38 Mendoza reflects on the role of white creators in the conversation about diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. 24:38 Mendoza explains why the Golden Globes were highly criticized for the categorization of “Minari” as a foreign language film. 25:53 Categorizing international or foreign-language films still proves to be problematic, Mendoza explains.30:00 Errin Haines reflects on her interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. 33:28 Farai Chideya discusses Charles Blow’s idea for obtaining Black political power with Errin Haines.  36:02 After the impeachment acquittal of former President Donald Trump, Jess Morales Rocketto says that the threat of Trump and Trumpism is still very real. 39:00 Chideya tries to make sense of the conflicting positions from Senator Mitch McConnell regarding Trump’s role in the January 6th insurrection.41:27 Sippin’ the Political Tea’s experts discuss other ways people are trying to hold Trump accountable for the events of January 6th, and why voting to convict on an impeachment charge would have had different consequences.

This week, Farai Chideya and her guests talk about whistleblowing in the tech industry, how ecofascism happens, and the second Trump impeachment trial. Ifeoma Ozoma, founder of Earthseed, talks about the discrimination she says she experienced as a Black woman working at Pinterest, and what she’s doing to protect more whistleblowers through a new California amendment. Technology contributor Mutale Nkonde breaks down why the way tech companies treat their employees impacts our everyday lives. And climate writer Mary Annaïse Heglar explains why how white supremacists engage with the climate crisis matters. Plus, Errin Haines of the 19th and Jess Morales Rocketto of the National Domestic Workers Alliance discuss the repercussions of former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial, pandemic relief from the Biden-Harris administration, and Stacey Abrams’ plan to strengthen our democracy.EPISODE RUNDOWN3:04 Ifeoma Ozoma talks about how Pinterest benefited from having her be the face of the company, and why she feels she was treated unfairly by those in more powerful positions.5:37 Ozoma says the way tech companies treat employees like her is similar to the way they treat their PoC consumer base.6:34 Ozoma talks about why she is working to get resources to whistleblowers in the tech industry, including protections through a proposed California legislation, the Silenced No More Act.12:26 Contributor and tech expert Mutale Nkonde continues the conversation about discrimination in the tech industry.13:45 Nkonde talks about Timnit Gebru, her significant research into artificial intelligence, and why her treatment at Google strikes so close to home.17:41 Some of Nkonde’s recent research looks into a significant disinformation campaign during the 2020 Presidential election, that many newsrooms missed.20:04 Climate writer Mary Annaïse Heglar talks about her work identifying ecofascism.22:38 Heglar talks about how the climate crisis is a “threat multiplier.”24:11 Heglar explains why she uses Twitter to call out fossil fuel companies for their wrongdoings.28:10 Our weekly political roundtable “Sippin’ the Political Tea’ breaks down the ramifications of the second impeachment trial for the public, and the political parties.29:42 Farai Chideya and Errin Haines of The 19th talk about the video of the January 6th insurrection that was played during the impeachment trial.31:19 Jess Morales Rocketto talks about House delegate Stacey Plaskett and how female elected officials are using fashion to make a statement.33:18 Chideya discusses the potential consequences of the impeachment trial for the Republican Party.36:58 Haines discusses Vice President Kamala Harris’ role as an equal partner in the administration. 39:30 Morales Rocketto says she wants to see the policies focused on helping immigrants, included in Covid relief negotiations.40:43 Chideya says the pandemic relief plan gives Americans the opportunity to see what their government can do for them, and compares it to government aid in Europe.

This week, Farai Chideya and her guests discuss the Covid-19 vaccine, a Golden Globe-nominated film, and the future of the Republican Party. Businesswoman Bertica Cabrera Morris and Professor Geraldo Cadava share the diversity of the conservative Hispanic experience. Dr. Celine Gounder, an infectious diseases specialist and epidemiologist, explains why the lack of public health infrastructure, especially technology, impacts the distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine. Business of entertainment contributor Casey Mendoza discusses two major Black films making waves in the upcoming awards season. Plus, political journalist Errin Haines of The 19th and Professor Tiffany Jeffers of Georgetown Law dive into the repercussions of the January 6th insurrection for the Republican Party, members of Congress, and voting rights across the country.EPISODE RUNDOWN1:24 Businesswoman Bertica Cabrera Morris talks about her relationship with the Republican Party as a Hispanic conservative.6:15 Cabrera Morris says she doesn’t agree with the behavior exhibited at the Capitol on January 6th, and that it harmed organizers in the Republican party like herself.11:47 A listener shares their response on the SPEAK platform, to the question, “How have your priorities changed since the beginning of the pandemic?” 14:41 Professor Geraldo Cadava explains that the Republican Party has fed divisions between Latinos  and African Americans for political gain. 16:51 Cadava explains that Hispanic Republicans will often point to the ways the Democratic Party has let down or alienated Latino voters, giving the Republican Party room to grow their base.17:58 Dr. Celine Gounder explains how the variants of Covid-19 present new and different challenges to controlling the pandemic.19:54 The vaccination process is hampered by the lack of health infrastructure, including basic technology for scheduling patients, says Dr Gounder.21:38 Dr. Gounder dives into what is needed for a more equitable distribution of vaccines. 25:54 Casey Mendoza gives an overview of Golden Globe-nominated film, One Night in Miami. 27:28 Mendoza talks about the ways award shows have adapted to include movies that are streaming during the pandemic.29:22 The documentary film MLK/FBI looks at how strategically the FBI worked to discredit the Civil Rights Movement.30:40 Errin Haines and Tiffany Jeffers break down the recent events in Congress in the weekly political roundtable “Sippin’ the Political Tea.”31:13 Farai Chideya talks about being impacted by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez’s Instagram Live video recounting her experience of the January 6th insurrection.33:13 Jeffers looks back to the Civil War and Reconstruction to draw comparisons to the divisions in politics today.35:31 Haines and Chideya discuss the Republican Party’s response to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green.37:14 Voters who changed their party registration after the election may be key to understanding the future of the Republican party, Chideya explains. 42:02 Jeffers makes the case that granting D.C statehood could give Capitol Hill staff and D.C. residents more security. 46:35 The burden that people of color endure when taking the time to vote needs to be addressed to ensure a more fair democracy, Chideya says.

This week, Farai Chideya and her guests talk about the challenges and victories of Covid vaccination efforts, and dive into the administration’s plans to reverse course on four years of Donald Trump. Dr. Grace Lee of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices describes what must be done to distribute vaccines equitably. “Vaccine Vixen” Ashley Nealy explains why as a Black woman she wanted to participate in the clinical trials. Actor and playwright Anna Deavere Smith analyzes the image of Vice President Kamala Harris in the White House. Author Kenya Hunt reflects on Black female identity around the world in her book, Girl Gurl Grrrl: On Womanhood and Belonging in the Age of Black Girl Magic. Plus, political journalist Errin Haines of The 19th and Jess Morales-Rocketto of the National Domestic Workers Alliance get into the swift actions of the Biden-Harris administration, the white supremacy problem within law enforcement, and the future of the Republican party.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:43 Dr. Grace Lee explains that some populations who are less likely to be willing to receive the Covid vaccine, are the same groups that have been disproportionately ravaged by the disease. 4:20 Although many people are skeptical about getting vaccinated, Dr. Lee says inoculation is the best way for society to create immunity.7:10 Dr. Lee emphasizes the importance of community leaders leading the way towards vaccination, especially within groups that may not trust the medical establishment.10:21 A caller from the SPEAK platform shares what she’d do to get the pandemic under control if she was at the White House.12:03 Ashley Nealy, a Covid-19 vaccine trial participant, shares why it’s important to encourage other people of color to take the Covid-19 vaccine. 15:56 Playwright, university professor and author Anna Deavere Smith discusses her most recent works, including a TIME magazine article on Vice President Kamala Harris. 18:02 Deavere Smith explains how she uses performing arts to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline.23:04 Fashion director Kenya Hunt explores her experience of Black womanhood, in the U.S. and abroad.24:14 Hunt explains why she thinks Black women like herself feel pressure to represent a whole demographic of people, and why that’s too simplistic.27:20 Seeing the political force that Black women wielded in the recent U.S. elections gives Hunt hope and optimism.28:19 Errin Haines, editor-at-large at The 19th, and Jess Morales Rocketto, civic engagement director at the National Domestic Workers Alliance, take part in our weekly politics segment Sippin the Political Tea.28:58 Haines and Chideya talk about the slate of executive orders signed by the Biden-Harris administration within the last week, including the reversal of the transgender military ban. 34:09 With the new administration’s huge emphasis on racial equity, Morales Rocketto admits that she has been slightly skeptical, yet optimistic, about the Biden-Harris administration’s plan to deliver on this front.36:56 Haines breaks down Democrats’ plans to get cash to people who are most in need of assistance, emphasizing the impact this could have specifically on women.41:07 Haines and Chideya discuss the warnings from the Department of Homeland Security of increased threats of domestic terrorism.43:24 Haines and Morales Rocketto unpack the importance of the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump, which is expected to start on February 9th. 

This week, Farai Chideya and her guests discuss the new administration and the historic role of Vice President Kamala Harris. Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters discusses what her party wants to accomplish now that it controls the legislative and executive branches. Political strategist Glynda Carr of Higher Heights wants to elevate more Black women to political leadership roles. Activist and producer Sarah Eagle Heart examines what the Biden-Harris administration could do to address the needs of Indigenous communities. Plus, political journalist Errin Haines of The 19th and Jess Morales-Rocketto of the National Domestic Workers Alliance dive into the priorities, hurdles, and first 100 days of the 46th President and Vice President.EPISODE RUNDOWN1:26 Farai Chideya talks to people in D.C. for the Presidential Inauguration.2:52 Representative Maxine Waters describes the scene during the Capitol siege. 5:14 Representative Waters describes the inequalities that Black women like her experience in the many facets of society. 8:39 Representative Waters says she is elated about the organizing efforts in Georgia.11:16 Having Kamala Harris as Vice President speaks to what is possible for Black Americans, says Waters. 13:16 Political strategist Glynda Carr talks about her efforts to get more Black women elected into leadership roles.14:05 Carr breaks down the four pillars of Higher Heights, her organization that endorses and advocates to elect Black women into office.17:10 Electing New York’s Attorney General Letitia James was a recent success story for Higher Heights.21:40 The Covid update looks into the strategy to get Covid vaccinations to those who need it most. 23:13 Activist and producer Sarah Eagle Heart dives into her social justice work as a member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe. 26:03 Eagle Heart recounts her first time protesting a racist depiction of Indigenous people at a homecoming ceremony in her hometown, when she was a teenager.28:13 When Eagle Heart approached top organizers of the Women’s March to point out the lack of Indigenous representation, she became part of the solution to amplify these voices in the movement.29:21 If she was able to ask anything of Vice President Kamala Harris, Eagle Heart would want to be sure that the rights of Indigenous people are included in the new administration.32:34 Our segment Sippin’ the Political Tea, looks back at a historic week with political experts Errin Haines and Jess Morales Rocketto.33:58 Youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman was Chideya’s favorite moment of last week’s inaugural celebration. 36:39 Chideya takes her listeners to the streets of D.C. the morning of the Inauguration.39:42 Morales Rocketto looks at some of the historic appointments to the Biden-Harris administration’s Cabinet.43:14 Haines looks at how the media will shift its focus from President Trump to the Biden-Harris administration.44:50 Although there is a new president, “Trump is gone, but Trumpism isn’t,” Chideya explains.45:33 The Biden-Harris administration has promised to make sweeping reforms to immigration policy, Morales Rocketto says.47:53 Haines questions how the Biden-Harris administration will tackle issues like systemic racism.

This week, Farai Chideya and her guests dissect the aftermath of the January 6th coup attempt at the Capitol.  New York AG Letitia James shares the values that guide her work, which includes investigating President Trump.  Boston Globe reporter Jazmine Ulloa reflects on her first-hand experience of the Capitol siege. As transition director of Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris’ team, political strategist Minyon Moore expands on Harris’ role in uniting the country.  Plus, a new extended segment of “Sippin’ the Political Tea” with contributors Errin Haines and Jess Morales Rocketto.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:51 Farai Chideya breaks down what she calls the “Black Cassandra Syndrome” and why she thinks more people should listen to journalists of color.2:34 New York Attorney General Letiticia James talks about her goal to uphold an equal application of the law, regardless of social status.5:50 James explains that her humble upbringing and daily interactions with her community encourage her to seek justice for all.7:55 Lawmakers’ priorities tend to neglect the needs of average Americans, especially minority communities, James explains.13:12 Journalist Jazmine Ulloa describes what the siege on the Capitol looked like, on the ground.14:56 Many journalists in the Senate press gallery doubted that rioters could break into the building, Ulloa explains. 17:40 Ulloa has had a career in crime reporting and describes the impact her work has on her community.21:48 The Covid Update looks at the uptick in daily deaths and the effects of the illness on “long-haulers.”24:04 Political strategist Minyon Moore gives her insight on the upcoming Biden-Harris Administration.24:47 Moore’s political career began with the campaign to elect Chicago’s first Black mayor. 28:17 Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris uplifts the voices of everyday Americans and “represents the people,” Moore explains. 29:42 The SPEAK platform takes in input from callers all across the country. This week, one caller shares what they’d do if they were President, on their first day in the Oval Office.32:31 Our Body Politic’s extended roundtable “Sipping the Political Tea” covers all things news and politics with contributors Jess Morales Rocketto and Errin Haines.34:03 Chideya breaks down her blog post from four years ago, “The Call to Whiteness,” which dissects and predicts the patterns that result from white supremacy in politics. 37:16 Haines expresses the frustration that her and other Black journalists have experienced over the years when they try to talk about racism and white supremacy.39:17 Morales Rocketto looks into the motives behind President Trump’s supporters in the Capitol, Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley, and their future roles in the Republican Party. 43:19 Haines, Morales Rocketto, and Chideya talk about what in politics has most surprised them most in the last week. 

This week, Farai Chideya and her guests dissect political news across the country, from the Senate races in Georgia to the violence in our nation’s capital. And we welcome new contributor and legal analyst Tiffany Jeffers. Impact investor Nathalie Molina Niño takes on the exclusion of women of color in finance. Business reporter Ruth Umoh takes stock of corporations’ promises to invest in racial equity. Former journalist Carla Murphy tells Farai about her mission to understand why other journalists of color leave newsrooms. Plus, the leaders of the Guild of Future Architects on what work will look like decades from now.EPISODE RUNDOWN0:45 Farai Chideya asks supporters of President Trump why they came to DC on January 6th.2:41 Legal analyst Tiffany Jeffers breaks down the different legal and ethical questions behind Trump’s call to Georgia’s Secretary of State. 4:46 Political contributor Errin Haines and Tiffany Jeffers dissect what the insurrection means for democracy in America. 6:16 Jeffers explains how white supremacy is baked into the country’s legal systems.10:00 Haines describes what the group of reluctant Trump supporters will mean for the incoming Biden-Harris administration.13:09 Impact investor Nathalie Molina Niño talks about her background in tech, and her increasing interest in political financing.17:45 Niño explains the importance of investing in women of color, one the most entrepreneurial and innovative groups of businesspeople across the globe.19:37 In order to get more money in the hands of women business owners, we have to invest, loan, and buy from this same community, Niño says.22:27 The Covid update looks at the upward trend of confirmed cases and deaths due to the coronavirus, as well as the implication of the newest variant of the virus.26:11 Our Body Politic contributor and business reporter, Ruth Umoh, looks into corporations’ promises to invest in racial equity.28:07 The mechanism behind diversity initiatives differs from company to company, leaving it up to reporters to hold them accountable, Umoh says.30:17 Umoh suggests that companies should first define what they mean by diversifying their company, before trying to hit unknown targets.32:38 Carla Murphy, a former journalist, has stepped out of the profession and now focuses on why others are leaving the industry.34:56 The reckoning in journalism is being shaped by the social movements of the last few years, Murphy explains, like Occupy Wall Street and #MeToo.36:32 Murphy says it’s very difficult to succeed in the media industry without having independent financial support as an early career journalist.37:24 Organizing for a living wage is imperative in the journalist world, Murphy says. 39:55 The SPEAK platform records callers’ voicemails and gives a prompt for listeners to participate in Our Body Politic.41:46 Sharon Chang and Kamal Sinclair of The Guild of Future Architects return to examine how we can better understand the role work plays in our lives.45:50 Sinclair suggests society should invest in unlocking human potential by not only valuing people’s work output, but by valuing the creativity and passion within their work.49:30 Chang explains why she thinks the word retirement should be abolished altogether.

This week, Farai Chideya spends more time with the sparkling roster of Our Body Politic contributors. Errin Haines of the 19th predicts the most important political stories of 2021 for women of color. Mutale Nkonde of AI for the People shares her secrets to envisioning success. Psychologist Dr. Ryan DeLapp offers advice to parents about having conversations on race and resilience with their children. Newsy reporter Casey Mendoza reflects on the successes and failures of 2020 in entertainment. Forbes reporter Ruth Umoh looks back on how the year impacted Black women.EPISODE RUNDOWN3:27 Errin Haines reflects on 2020 and predicts what could happen politically in 2021.7:39 Haines says Black women were key figures in politics in 2020: “as crucial part of the electorate, you definitely saw Black women flexing their power in 2020.”14:18 Mutale Nkonde of AI for the People takes listeners back to being inspired by Oprah 20 years ago, and how those practices helped her work towards her future.15:42 Nkonde describes how she envisions and reaches the goals she sets for herself professionally.17:54 Nkonde talks about Dr. Timnit Gebru’s studies on racism within facial recognition technology. 24:50 Dr. Ryan DeLapp, an attending psychologist at Montefiore health system in the Bronx, explains the mental health impact Covid is having on children.26:56 Dr. Delapp says reorganizing routines will be important as things continue to change with the pandemic.29:23 Dr. DeLapp explains that having a conversation with children about race should start from a place of pride.32:30 Casey Mendoza gives updates on the major gains and losses in entertainment in 2020.25:45 One group that has emerged with the pandemic is the National Independent Venue Association or NIVA, a lobbying group for venues across the country.37:28 Mendoza offers a glimmer of hope for the upcoming year.38:52 Ruth Umoh recaps the financial ramifications of 2020 for Black women and all women of color.39:52 Umoh discusses why she thinks Black women should invest more in the stock market, especially since it’s been fruitful during the pandemic.44:34 Reflecting and looking towards the New Year with the Our Body Politic team.

This week, Farai Chideya talks with Nse Ufot of the New Georgia Project about the power of organizing the vote. Air Force Sergeant Tamika Hamilton on what inspired her to run in California, and Varshini Prakash of the Sunrise Movement connects racial inequity and the climate crisis. Saru Jayaraman of One Fair Wage explains the pandemic's effect on service workers.  Alejandra Gomez of Living United for Change in Arizona reflects on organizing efforts in the election. Plus, how Dr. Camilla Pang explains the average human’s behavior.EPISODE RUNDOWN2:27 Chief officer of The New Georgia Project Nsé Ufot explains how The New Georgia Project used platforms like Twitch to reach a younger audience. 8:16 Ufot gives details on the group’s goal to knock on one million doors ahead of the Georgia Senate race.15:45 Air Force Sergeant Tamika Hamilton describes what inspired her to run as the Republican candidate for California’s 3rd Congressional District. 19:52 Hamilton talks about her plans to run in 2022. 22:51 Varshini Prakash, co-founder and executive director of the Sunrise Movement, explains why climate policies might have a chance in 2021. 25:14 Prakash explains that to deal with the climate crisis, the country must also deal with inequality. 28:23 Prakash talks about the prospect of Deb Haaland as Interior Secretary in the Biden Administration.32:22 Saru Jayaraman is the president of One Fair Wage, an organization fighting for a more equitable wage structure for workers in the service industry.34:20 Jayaraman says workers who live off tips are facing major challenges with the pandemic.38:32 Alejandra Gomez of LUCHA shares what inspired her to get involved in organizing.40:16 Gomez the role of organizing and activism in the political changes in her state of Arizona.44:19 Dr Camilla Pang talks about how she uses science to better understand human behavior.

This week, Farai Chideya talks with Representative Veronica Escobar about Covid and immigration in her district of El Paso. Gina Pérez of the Texas State Board of Education explains how continued cuts to school programs inspired her to take action. Our political contributor Errin Haines brings updates from the political world, and business contributor Ruth Umoh analyzes Black homeownership. Medical student Nia Buckner explains why she and other students updated the Hippocratic Oath, and entertainment contributor Casey Mendoza reflects on the representation of Latinos on television. Plus, journalist Paola Ramos goes looking for the meaning of “Latinx."EPISODE RUNDOWN1:35 Representative Veronica Escobar describes the impact of Covid in her district of El Paso.4:42 Rep. Escobar explains how the pandemic has laid bare the inequalities that exist in the country.10:46 The incoming Biden-Harris Administration will be crucial in addressing immigration in border towns like El Paso, Rep. Escobar explains.13:24 Gina Pérez sits on the Texas State Board of Education on behalf of District One in Texas and explains how Covid is impacting education in her district.15:31 Pérez describes why she first got involved on the State Board of Education. 19:30 The Covid update breaks down the issues rural communities might face distributing the vaccine.22:26 Medical student Nia Buckner explains how her and other students intend to confront racism within the medical field.24:42 Buckner explains the importance of understanding patients’ outside lives when treating them inside the clinic. 26:27 Errin Haines talks about the significance of Deb Haaland being nominated for Secretary of the Interior in the upcoming Biden-Harris Administration.27:55 The Biden-Harris Administration is on its way to breaking records if all 25 women who are nominated are confirmed to cabinet level positions.31:20 Haines says civil rights leaders are looking for “real systemic change and not just kind of the incremental change” that has been happening in American politics. 32:13 Ruth Umoh explains the disparities between Black and white homeownership in the U.S.34:15 Discriminatory policies have historically prevented Black people from being able to buy homes and accrue wealth, Umoh states.36:37 Umoh looks back on the financial commitments made by corporations in the wake of George Floyd protests, and says that they’re a step in the right direction, they are “a drop in the bucket” for many of these companies.38:08 Our SPEAK callers share why self-care is important to them during the pandemic.39:19 Paola Ramos discusses her new book, Finding Latinx: In Search of the Voices Redefining Latino Identity.40:56 Ramos digs into her own history to try to understand the systemic discrimination against Afro-Latinos among Latinos in the U.S., and abroad.42:53 Ramos says President-Elect Biden will have to keep his promises to the Latinos who voted for him, or there will be important consequences for the Democratic party.43:53 Entertainment contributor Casey Mendoza speaks about Latino representation on TV.47:12 Mendoza goes over the films added to the National Film Registry this year, and how they show a growing understanding in entertainment about the importance of people of color in film.

This week Farai Chideya talks with Representative-Elect Jamaal Bowman of New York about his plans for a more just and equitable district, with a major focus on education. Contributor Errin Haines of The 19th updates listeners on the latest moves in the incoming Biden Administration, and NPR correspondent Hansi Lo Wang explains why the 2020 Census is still not over. Advocate Imani Barbarin discusses the intersection of disability and social media. And Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom beautifully annotates her lived experience as a Black woman and sociologist in her collection of personal essays.EPISODE RUNDOWN1:13 Representative-Elect Jamaal Bowman of New York on why he ran for office. 4:05 Bowman discusses possibilities for adapting education for Covid safety, and why it’s hard to make change in education systems. 8:13 In years prior, Bowman didn’t align with any particular political party, because he “didn't feel either party spoke to my needs personally or the needs of my family and my community.”14:00 Errin Haines discusses the lack of diversity in President-Elect Joe Biden’s administration so far. 15:35 Susan Rice is slated to become the next Director of White House Domestic Policy Council, Haines says, a position that crucially does not require Senate confirmation. 18:37 A new poll out of Georgia finds that a majority of registered Black female voters are highly concerned about the outcome of the Senate races.21:04 Our Covid update highlights the crisis in Navajo Nation, and the systemic difficulties that health care providers face there.24:06 NPR national correspondent Hansi Lo Wang breaks down the importance of the 2020 Census, and how the Supreme Court could be making some historic changes to the way it operates. 33:00 Disability activist Imani Barbarin talks about how she uses social media to get her message out and connect with others in the disability community.35:02 Barbarin explains the parallels between those impacted by Covid and those in the disability community.37:48 Having lived in France, Barbarin says having a disability in the two countries is a completely different experience.38:38 Author, professor and sociologist Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom talks about her latest collection of essays and her lived experience of being a Black woman in America. 40:09 “..whiteness defends itself against change, against progress, against hope, against black dignity, against black lives, against reason,” McMillan Cottom says. 41:46 McMillan Cottom talks about the trauma of her own birthing experience, and explains the dangers of the US healthcare system for Black women and others who are meant to understand their bodies are “incompetent.”

This week Farai Chideya talks to Dallas Chief of Police Reneé Hall about her career in law enforcement at a time of rising consciousness across the nation. Dr. Kavita Trivedi explains the intricacies of Covid testing and why it’s important to keep safety protocols in place. Reporter Ruth Umoh makes the connection between student debt and entrepreneurship, and Errin Haines gives us an update on the incoming stars of the Biden-Harris White House. Plus, a higher education leader on how students and colleges are coping during Covid, and searching for a shared history with author Morgan Jerkins.EPISODE RUNDOWN2:09 Dallas Chief of Police Reneé Hall talks about being a police officer for the majority of her career and explains why after three years as Chief, she is now stepping down. 6:51 Chief Hall describes a series of “unimaginable events” in her resignation letter and explains how she coped with tumultuous times in law enforcement. 8:16 During the onset of the George Floyd protests, Chief Hall received criticism for detaining protesters in Dallas. Chief Hall explains why she stands by her decision.  13:18 Chief Hall reflects on the current racial reckoning and her place in it:,“So how can blue lives matter and Black lives not? And how can Black lives matter and blue lives not? I happen to be both.” 15:29 Political contributor Errin Haines dives into the President-Elect’s incoming staff selections.15:45 Recent news of a Georgia election official reaching his boiling point has put even more eyes on the status of Georgia’s election system.17:07 Haines talks about how the upcoming Georgia senate election is a reflection of our democracy..18:59 Vaccines, survival rates, and more, in our weekly Covid update.20:19 Low income students are falling behind in their education as the pandemic forces schools to use a distance learning model. 21:51 Dr. Angel Perez, CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, talks about the changes in higher education due to Covid.23:27 Dr. Perez explains that in some ways, higher education is more accessible than ever before, as the pandemic forces institutions to rethink their admissions process.24:29 Funding for under-resourced schools, including K-12 schools, is needed right now, says Dr. Perez. 26:35 Dr Kavita Trivedi says we shouldn’t rely on testing as  a means of preventing Covid infection.28:39 Dr. Trivedi urges the public to continue sticking to CDC guidelines to prevent further spread of the virus. 32:08 Ruth Umoh, Forbes magazine journalist, breaks down how student debt forgiveness could impact Black businesses. 33:15 Umoh states that Black students are more likely to borrow money for higher education, and are more likely than their white counterparts to owe a majority of their initial loan balance 20 years later. 36:30 Several tech companies gave shout-outs to Black owned businesses ahead of Black Friday, and Umoh says corporations can participate in the country’s racial reckoning in meaningful ways.38:15 Leezel Tanglao of Tayo Help talks about the prevalence of disinformation among the Filipino community and how her group is combating it. 40:16 Tanglao says there are cultural barriers that make it more difficult to help those who might be affected by Covid within the Filipino community. 42:38 Morgan Jerkins is a New York Times bestselling author and Senior Editor for ZORA, and talks about her book “Wandering in Strange Lands: A Daughter of the Great Migration Reclaims Her Roots.” 44:18 Jerkins explains that she wrote the book to understand her ancestry, which she felt disconnected from as a Black American.47:20 While exploring her roots, Jerkins discovered pieces of history that were never taught to her through her formal education. 

This week Farai Chideya talks with journalists who are changing the world around them. First, veteran journalist Maria Hinojosa on creating a more inclusive newsroom as one of the pioneering Latinas in public radio. Then journalist Wendi Thomas on why she built a newsroom by and for locals in Memphis; and Jenni Monet on decolonizing our news feeds. The New York Times’ Somini Segupta talks about covering the climate crisis. And Lisa Lucas explains how a Twitter hashtag changed her career path, and her goals as a new publisher. Plus, the women behind the Guild of Future Architects join Farai for the second part of their conversation on envisioning our collective future.Episode Rundown1:22 Veteran journalist Maria Hinojosa talks about the ups and the downs of her career in public radio and what she’s learned in the process.5:12 Hinojosa talks about having to defend herself in the newsroom, even as colleagues accused her of having a “Latino agenda.”6:55 Hinojosa talks about creating the newsroom she wished she had as a young journalist, in Futuro Media Group.13:05 Tennessee journalist Wendi Thomas on why she started her media outlet, MLK 50, and how she was able to get the funding to make it all happen.15:40 Thomas recently won an award for her investigative piece about a local hospital suing patients, “whose only mistake was being sick and poor at the same time.”17:05 Thomas talks about why local journalism is so important in creating change.18:30 Our weekly Covid update looks into how the pandemic has wreaked havoc on those who were already experiencing hardships before Covid. 20:39 Investigative reporter Jenni Monet talks about her newsletter, called Indigenously: Decolonizing Your News Feed.24:04 Chideya and Monet reflect on their time at Standing Rock and whether or not people should expect their government to make change.27:42 Somini Sengupta shares what she’s learned covering climate change for The New York TImes, “I've learned that climate change is not a future risk. It is a now risk.”32:03 Lisa Lucas, the Executive Director of the National Book Foundation, talks about rising up in the literary world.35:57 Lucas talks about the tweet that landed her a publishing job.34:40 Lucas never imagined herself to be a publisher, but has big goals for the position.38:39 Journalist Sarah Smarsh talks about her piece “Poor Teeth,” which explores the accessibility of dental care in America and how it is an indicator of socioeconomic status.40:39 Smarsh talks about The Poor People’s Campaign and how it is carrying out the legacy of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.42:42 Why Dolly Parton is an important role model for feminist, working class women.44:28 Guild of Future Architects founder Sharon Chang explores the importance of imagination in studying history.46:36 Farai shares a listener voicemail and discusses paths to equitable and accessible care systems with the Guild of Future Architects leaders.

Congresswoman Tlaib talks about The Squad’s role and how grassroots activism is shaping the future of the Democratic Party. Infectious disease expert Dr. Celine Gounder, a member of the Biden Covid-19 task force, offers insights into two promising vaccines. Scholar Robert P. Jones discusses the intersection of religion and politics, and bestselling author Yaa Gyasi tells us about her new book, her Ghanaian roots, and removing the stigma around mental health.Episode 9 Rundown2:42 Representative Rashida Tlaib on how she continues to fight for her constituents despite working in a polarized Congress. 4:28 Representative Tlaib reminisces on her upbringing in Detroit and how her community was so accustomed to inequality, they didn’t realize they had the short end of the stick. 9:12 When talking about The Squad, Representative Tlaib says it’s all about the grassroots support, and how that supports the progressive policies she champions.13:14 Dr. Celine Gounder dives into the goals of President-Elect Joe Biden’s Covid Task Force. 15:05 Dr. Gounder breaks down the challenges that low-income and rural communities will have distributing a Covid vaccine.21:12 Learn about how experts like Dr. Anthony Fauci envisions the rollout of the vaccine in our weekly Covid update.22:28 Lonnae O’Neal of ESPN’s “The Undefeated” investigates the intersection of race, sports and health in America.25:00 The distrust of the medical system among the Black community dates back decades, O’Neal explains.27:03 Errin Haines of The 19th shares her take on current events as a political contributor for Our Body Politic.27:53 Haines says the division between those who trust and those who don’t trust election results speaks to a wider disenfranchisement of Black and brown voters.30:29 The Biden-Harris administration has a plan to put people in historically underrepresented communities into his cabinet, Haines explains, but where are the Black women?32:23 Robert P. Jones, CEO and founder of The Public Religion Research Institute, gives listeners some insight on the influence of religion on how people vote.37:17 Jones breaks down the cultural divide we are seeing in the country, “It really comes down to this big question of who is America, who gets to be an American, what does an American look like?”41:45 Yaa Gyasi talks about writing, her Ghanaian roots, and finding her identity in America.46:20 Growing up, Gyasi recalls her parents finding community in the church and explores the topic of finding community in her book.

This week Farai Chideya speaks with Senator Tammy Duckworth about serving in the military, becoming a mother, and advocating for safe and equitable environments for veterans. Washington insider Stephanie Valencia breaks down the so-called Latino vote, and challenges the major parties to show up beyond an election year. Farai talks to our finance contributor Ruth Umoh about the significance and optics of Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris for women of color. And journalist S. Mitra Kalita and Farai get real on the role of journalists in a pandemic.Episode Rundown1:00 Farai gets a feel for post-election celebrations in Washington, DC, and introduces this week’s show.1:52 Tammy Duckworth talks about serving in the military and how she would do it again, even if that meant she’d be injured again.8:46 Duckworth shares her thoughts on the importance of Senator Kamala Harris becoming the Vice President elect.9:38 The Senator balances being career-driven and becoming a mother.13:20 We congratulate our political contributor Errin Haines for receiving the Vernon Jarrett Medal for Journalistic Excellence.15:03 Chideya and Haines talk about what the Biden-Harris administration can and should do to materially improve the lives of Black Americans. 17:54 Looking into the Senate race in Haines’ home state, Georgia.20:50 Stephanie Valencia breaks down the “Latino vote” and insists there’s just as much nuance to this voter group as others, but less attention paid to that complexity.24:06 “I would like Democrats to treat Latino voters a little bit more like white swing voters. We are that diverse and that nuanced...” says Stephanie Valencia of EquisLabs.24:58 Our weekly Covid update looks at how communities of color are continually impacted by the pandemic.26:02 Researchers determine that there are not enough people getting the flu shot this season.27:07 Ruth Umoh talks about the Biden Plan for Black America and how it could be accomplished.29:26 Umoh breaks down how we hold politicians accountable by continuing to mobilize and vote. 30:25 Forbes researches the best employers for veterans, and how to ensure veterans succeed in civilian careers.32:18 Imagining a future of liberation for women of color, with Sharon Chang and Kamal Sinclair of The Guild of Future Architects.33:58 Sinclair talks about how and when people feel liberated, and why imagining that liberation can be powerful.36:16 Chang explains why she’s an optimist: “My optimism really rests on our ability to just think outside of all frameworks, all language, all understanding, all mindsets, so we can liberate ourselves in the sense that anything really is possible.”39:25 Call into our SPEAK platform to participate in the collective envisioning of our future!40:21 Ajón Crump decides to make the best of her time in lockdown by fundraising for and sending free sneakers to nurses on the frontline of the pandemic.42:48 Journalist S. Mitra Kalita talks about how her own experience in the pandemic made her aware of the importance of tight-knit communities and taking care of your neighbors.45:28 How Kalita uses her skills as a journalist to help her community survive the effects of the pandemic, and gets the idea for starting a local newsletter, Epicenter-NYC.46:53 Kalita talks about how Epicenter-NYC could be the framework for a new model of community-based, hyperlocal journalism.

This week political contributor Errin Haines and host Farai Chideya reflect on the Presidential election and the role of Black women and women of color voters. Mutale Nkonde returns to talk about the actual impact of targeted voter suppression. Dr. Kimberly Moffitt gets into what it means to find truth in the information age, and a new ISPU study looks at how American Muslims build coalitions. Steven Thrasher applies the lessons learned from the AIDS epidemic to COVID. And science fiction author N.K Jemisin on how she finds inspiration in daily life. Plus, we hear from passionate voters on election day at polls across the country.Episode Rundown0:30 The origins of Our Body Politic, with host Farai Chideya. 5:50 Voters from across the country tell us why they voted in this election. 6:30 Errin Haines, regular contributor and Editor-at-large at The 19th, talks about the voters of color who turned out this election.8:24 Haines explains trends we are seeing in Senate and House races.10:51 The narratives around the role of white voters and Black voters and why that must change.11:50 More voters talk about why they committed to their plan to vote. 13:02 Mutale Nkonde, CEO of AI For The People, talks about the disinformation age and how to combat fake news.16:02 Nkonde explains how the influx of people of color from progressive cities into the suburbs of southern states is turning some districts blue.17:45 Farai and Nkonde ask: what lessons will politicians learn from the 2020 election?20:32 Farai poses a question for our listeners to take part in our SPEAK segment.21:17 The Covid update - record-breaking cases, the impacts of being pregnant with COVID-19, and what’s at stake in the SCOTUS case about the Affordable Care Act. 22:23 Would a federal mask mandate work? Professor Steven Thrasher reflects on his time studying the AIDS epidemic and how we can apply lessons learned to the Covid pandemic. 23:47 Is it helpful to prosecute individuals for a disease? According to Professor Thrasher, it does more harm than good.26:30 A case study of how criminalizing disease creates bias and disincentivizes people from getting tested for disease.32:10 How can we discern fake news from the true facts? Dr. Kimberly Moffitt explains why we are such impulsive media consumers, and how to change that.33:24 Identity politics is a huge problem when seeking out the facts, Dr. Moffitt suggests.37:23 A conversation with Dalia Mogahed and Meira Neggaz from the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding about their recent study on American Muslim voters.40:06 Good news segment brings you good news from the entertainment world: Sharon Jones honored in her home state, Beyoncé lifting up young professionals, and Claire Zhao making impactful movies.41:35 Fiction author N.K. Jemisin tells us about racism and bias in the literary world, and how fiction is based not on the past or the future, but the present. 44:23 Jemisin talks about her Broken Earth trilogy and how it all started with an unexplainable dream.47:00 Jemisin explains some of the conspiracies within the fantasy fandom community that prevent people of color from receiving awards.

Farai Chideya talks with Errin Haines, editor-at-large of The 19th, and Jess Morales Rocketto, civic engagement director at the National Domestic Workers Alliance, about what motivated women of color to turn out at the polls and take up leadership roles in activism, media, and more. Plus, what WoC want to see in political leaders from now on.

This week Farai Chideya dives into how federal judges are central in the fight to protect reproductive health with Alexis McGill Johnson of Planned Parenthood. We break down the steps in creating more inclusive representation with the cofounders of Women of Color for Progress. Also, understanding how students of HBCUs are mobilizing for the upcoming election, and lifetime activist Dolores Huerta reminisces about her advocacy over the years. Correction:  We incorrectly stated that Dolores Huerta was awarded the Medal of Freedom in 2000. She was a 2011 Medal of Freedom recipient; the honor was delivered by President Obama in 2012.Episode Rundown1:11 Alexis McGill Johnson, CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, talks about how the new Supreme Court appointment could impact Americans’ reproductive rights.5:28 How the upcoming election will affect access to healthcare for all Americans. 8:36 Women of Color for Progress cofounders Amanda Farías and Karen Coronel talk about running for local office and motivating more women to represent their communities. 11:27 Farías explains how to take the plunge into politics, even if you have no prior experience. 13:31 Errin Haines details her four-hour journey to cast an early vote.15:13 Haines breaks down voter suppression and voter depression. 17:10 Our SPEAK segment explores the top issues that our listeners are sharing with us.  18:22 Delece Smith-Barrow talks about the importance of this election to students at HBCUs. 22:03 Ruth Umoh dives into how Black business women have been affected by the pandemic. 23:48 Umoh describes how the business and finance community has responded to the call for action after the death of Geroge Floyd.27:47 Our weekly Covid update talks about the record number of coronavirus cases, why more white Americans are getting sick, and how masks are stopping the spread of the virus.31:31 Dr. Ijeoma Nnodim Opara describes a recent encounter with a police officer who was not wearing a mask. 33:18 “I recognized that the environments that we're in right now, politically, socially, culturally, economically as well, and that this will not be about public health. The most important thing was for me to get home safe to my babies right now.” Dr. Nnodim Opara reflecting on her identity and having to weigh the risks of an encounter with police.35:55 Alice Wong, founder and director of the Disability Visibility Project, talks about #CripTheVote and raising awareness for voters with disabilities. 39:25 Wong explains her fear of losing the Affordable Care Act and what it would mean for people with disabilities. 42:55 Dolores Huerta and her legacy of “Si se puede.”46:30 Huerta talks about her history with police violence and why she’d be at the protests happening right now if it wasn’t for Covid-19.47:56 Huerta talks about her experiences on the Playa at Burning Man, and why she thinks it should be a model for society at large.

This week Farai Chideya explores Black gun ownership with journalist Trymaine Lee, and takes the pulse of voters in California with Representative Karen Bass. A pediatrician helps us understand how to support kids through the pandemic, and a former Secret Service agent gives us tips for staying safe at the polls. Plus, one writer’s escape to Paris.Episode Rundown0:35 Joe Biden’s campaign raised two million dollars after David Perdue’s exaggerated mispronunciation of running mate Kamala Harris’s name.2:00 Farai talks to journalist Trymaine Lee about the increasing numbers of Black gun owners, a subject he spoke about on his MSNBC podcast Into America.8:02 Lee talks about the risks associated with being a Black man with a gun. “While America has always been a very violent, very dangerous place, where guns are lionized, guns are worshiped, just not in the hands of Black folks.” Lee says.8:39 Representative Karen Bass of California talks about voter suppression and encourages everyone to vote this upcoming election.12:47 Political contributor Errin Haines and Farai talk about all things politics: the significance of having a Black woman moderate a presidential debate, the importance of state races, and Florida’s role in the election.18:15 In the weekly Covid-19 update: the CDC’s new recommendations for avoiding close contact, the rising death rate for Hispanics, and new research on the low risk of transmitting the virus through breast milk.20:18 Genevieve Daftary, pediatric medical director at Codman Square Health Center in Boston, says she sees increasing rates and intensity of anxiety, depression, and behavioral dysregulation in children since the start of the pandemic.26:14 Former Secret Service agent Holli Draines gives advice on how to stay safe and secure at the polls and other public places.28:09 Draines says you should always know your exits, tell people where you’re going, and if you ever feel unsafe, put time and distance between you and the situation.31:48 Listeners tell us what’s on their minds with our SPEAK platform.32:57 Liz Hartley, an investor who is also the co-founder of the group Eleven Three, offers tools that track polling lines and help you plan your voting strategy.36:01 Filpina filmmaker Isabel Sandoval talks with us about her film “Lingua Franca,” a story about a power struggle that defies the tropes of Hollywood, especially when it comes to portraying trans women.42:20 In our weekly “Good news:” Barbie addresses systemic racism, HBO announces more Euphoria episodes, and civil rights icon Angela Davis appears in the New York Times Style Magazine.43:18 Author Audrey Edwards talks about her experience leaving the U.S. for Paris, when Donald Trump was elected in 2016. She talks about the freedom and empowerment she felt in her book American Runaway: Black and Free in Paris in the Trump Years.

This week Farai Chideya explores the ideological diversity among women of color with Shirlene Ostrov, the Chairman of the Hawaii Republican Party, and Dr. Leah Wright Rigueur, a leading expert on Black Republicans. "Rise" looks closer at feminism and social issues, from China to the U.S. with writer Frankie Huang, and a provocative discussion of Black leadership with Janaya “Future” Khan, international ambassador of the Black Lives Matter movement.Episode Rundown4:30 Hawaii GOP Chairman Shirlene Ostrov talks about how the President has helped people of color. 7:29 Dr. Leah Wright Rigueur talks about the difference between Black Americans who identify as Democrats and those who identify as Republicans. 10:14 There's a gender gap between Black men and women at the polls. 13:22 Errin Haines and Farai Chideya talk about which congressional races have significant impact on women of color candidates and voters.15:53 New York Times reports that the Trump Administration secretly briefed stock market investors ahead of the pandemic. 17:25 Covid update: Where cases are spiking, and how to vote safely. 20:09 Dr. Kavita Trivedi talks about vaccine trials for COVID24:50 Shyvon Paul and Dr. Ronica Mukerjee tell us about Healthcare for the People. 26:40 The U.S. has “the highest rates of death from COVID in the world because of the lack of caring for communities of color, and also poor people” - Dr. Mukerjee. 28:28 As much as the healthcare system needs reform, systemic racism is at the root of healthcare disparities. 33:30 Writer Frankie Huang talks about the racism Chinese-Americans face because of COVID and white supremacy.37:43 The Good News segment includes Megan Thee Stallion, police accountability and Ava DuVernay. 40:19 Activist Janaya Future Khan explains why “our job is to make revolution irresistible.”44:00 Khan speaks about the new  leadership of Black women and queer folks today46:34 Khan talks about their first time experiencing and understanding activism. 

This week Farai Chideya talks with California Congresswoman Barbara Lee about housing, climate change and Covid in the East Bay Area. Dr. Jonathan Metzl breaks down how the country’s racial hierarchy affects healthcare access for white Americans. Our weekly Covid update looks at the frontline workers exposed in the White House, and the impact of the pandemic on schools in New York City. And the "Rise" segment features Black explorers in search of sunken slave ships. Plus: an intrepid woman who refused to let Covid slow down her dating life.Episode Rundown0:35 This week’s happenings - Trump gets COVID-19, Minneapolis police officer gets bailed out, Puerto Rican voters at the polls, and the dialogue divide. 2:44 “Here to talk to us about the debate and what America faces next is Representative Barbara Lee of California.”3:25 Representative talks about the historic moment of Kamala Harris on the Vice Presidential Debate stage. 4:55 “We're in the midst of a pandemic upon a pandemic upon a pandemic.” 7:11  Amna Nawaz on the Vice Presidential Debate and what voters learned this time around. 11:11 The Supreme Court and abortion. 13:12 Women in the workforce and how the pandemic has disproportionately affected women. 16:28 The pandemic is absolutely political for women because this is part of their daily lived reality.18:27 Covid update: The virus in the White House and a resurgence in New York City neighborhoods. 21:40 Dr. Jonathan Metzl on his book "Dying of Whiteness," about how the racial resentment affects all americans. 23:47 What whiteness means in this pandemic25:35 How maintaining a white identity is bad for individuals and public health. 28:28 To some, the Affordable Care Act has turned into a social system that defies “whiteness.” How the Supreme Court could change that. 32:03 Two years after Jamal Khoshoghi was murdered, Farai talks to Karen Attiah, global opinions editor at The Washington Post. 36:26 Attiah on the pandemic: “It's a slow moving mass casualty event on par even beyond the scale of the wars that America has participated in.”38:45 Forty dates in the pandemic with Jareen Imam.40:17 “I didn't think in this point in my life that I would be alone. I thought I would be married.”42:18 Some good news: Women of color in film, Angela Davis and the Divine Nine. 43:24 Diving for sunken slave ships with Tara Roberts45:58 “I love the quote by Chimamanda, the writer who talks about the danger of a single story.”48:00 Searching for her roots and knowing that a story that begins with pain isn’t the end of the story. 

This week on Our Body Politic, Farai Chideya talks with Congresswoman Deb Haaland of New Mexico about leading with her Laguna Pueblo heritage. Farai digs into politics and the economy in conversations about income taxes and the role of disinformation in our elections. Our weekly Covid update puts President Trump’s diagnosis in context with other impacted Americans. Our Rise segment looks at one woman uplifting families of police-violence victims, and how exotic dancers in Atlanta are getting out the vote. CORRECTION: This episode’s COVID update misstated the likelihood of Black and Hispanic patients dying of Covid as 3 and 4 times more likely than non-Hispanic whites. But they are roughly 2.5 times more likely to die than white patients. Episode Rundown2:20 Deb Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, talks about being a Congresswoman and how she remained hopeful. 6:58 Haaland talks about why it’s imperative for those who can vote, to vote. 8:09 Farai talks to Radhika Balakrishnan about Trump’s income taxes, income inequality, and our tax system. 10:29 Balakrishnan explains the long-term economic impacts of the pandemic. 13:00 One listener calls in to tell us their experience about incorrect voting dates in NYC.14:22 Farai speaks with Mutale Nkonde, UN advisor on Race and AI, about disinformation campaigns that convince voters not to vote, domestically and abroad.18:15 Disinformation: An art and practice developed in the Cold War, and still used to this day. 22:54 How to steer clear from disinformation this election.25:16 Egyptian-American journalist Mona Eltahawy talks about Amy Coney Barrett after her piece “If Amy Coney Barrett Was a Muslim”29:12 Eltahawy talks about protests, revolution, and who the Supreme Court benefits. 31:39 Errin Haines and Farai grapple with the first Presidential Debate. 32:48 Erinn and her piece “Toxic Masculinity Takes Center Stage at the First Presidential Debate.” 36:46 COVID-19: Who has it (POTUS and FLOTUS), and who it is disproportionately affecting.40:36 Dr. Nikki Jackson talks about the importance of the flu shot. 42:08 Is it safe to go to the doctors office? Dr. Jackson says yes, go! 43:08 The Good News section - Beyonce, voting in style, and so much more. 43:50 A conversation with Shatonna Nelson about police brutality and the communities it impacts. 46:37 Nelson - “They all know that they need to tell the story,” on how to heal as the family of a victim of police brutality. 

Welcome to the first episode of Our Body Politic, created by award-winning journalist Farai Chideya. This episode digs into the controversies surrounding the Census with actor and activist Alfre Woodard. Farai talks to two lawyers leading the campaign to put a Black woman on the Supreme Court. Errin Haines of The 19th and Jess Morales Rocketto of the National Domestic Workers Alliance discuss the power of Black and WoC voters this November. Plus, our weekly Covid update about the pandemic’s impact on communities of color. Episode Rundown 1:57 April Reign and Sabriya Williams talk about the death of Supreme- Court- Justice Ruth-Bader-Ginsberg.4:14 Why representation in the Supreme Court matters.5:35 Republicans’ plans to rush a new Supreme Court Justice.8:38 “There’s already names that are being circulated of Black women who might be Supreme Court justices and nominees.”13:51 Errin Haines and Jess Morales Rocketto talk about the importance of the Women of Color vote in the upcoming presidential election. 15:18 Oh my gosh. Absolutely. Women of color are key to winning elections.17:18 Erin Haines - “I mean, you don’t have Joe Biden as your presumptive Democratic nominee weeks ahead of schedule without Black women, right?”18:58 Jess Morales Rocketto - “To my Latina sisters and fems, honestly, I think the most important thing is that we can really make the difference in this election.”20:43 Covid news and how essential workers are disproportionately affected by the virus. 22:07 Last month, the CDC abruptly changed its testing guidelines, saying people who weren’t showing symptoms of COVID-19 didn’t need to be tested, even if they thought they’d been exposed.24:09 Dr. Kavita Trivedi talks about her background iat the CDC as an epidemic intelligence service officer, and helping to manage outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant infections and manage infection control.26:56 “We have now clearly seen that African Americans, Latinx communities, are disproportionately affected by the pandemic in so many different ways. “29:05 Dr. Trivedi stresses the importance of the flu vaccine this upcoming winter, so that doctors can rule out the sickness when COVID symptoms arise.32:16 An interview with Soraya Nadia McDonald about Naomi Osaka. 37:25 Naomi Osaka repping Black Lives Matter masks during the US Open. 40:02 An interview with Alfred Woodard about the importance of the Census. 42:29 “So many people are putting their lives on the line daily to keep the country rolling.”49:25 Alfred Woodward says, if those enslaved can show up for the Census, so can we. 47:48 “I tell stories because I want to lift all of my sisters and my brothers the same way that griots have always done.”48:49 “Black Lives Matter was a hashtag that started after the death of Trayvon Martin to find each other online.”

Created and hosted by award-winning journalist Farai Chideya, Our Body Politic is unapologetically centered on reporting on not just how women of color experience the major political events of today, but how they're impacting those very issues. Weekly episodes feature in-depth conversations about the economy, health, politics, education, the environment, and the most prescient issues—because all issues are women's issues. Tune in every Friday everywhere you listen to podcasts, and on public radio stations around the country. Presented by KCRW, KPCC, and KQED.